Remotely sensed rainfall images from Meteosat indicate heavy and above normal rainfall in the northwestern regions of Somalia during the second dekad of April. Field reports from these areas confirmed the heavy rainfall only in the areas west of Hargeisa (including Hargeisa itself). In the Togdheer region, intense water trucking continued during the dekad in an effort to save livestock and pastoralists who migrated into the region in search of pasture. The light to heavy rains indicated over the Sool and Sanag regions have also not been confirmed from the field.

In other parts of Somalia, according to Meteosat rainfall estimates, light to moderate rains fell over most of the northeastern regions, including Bari, Nugal,   Mudug and eastern Galgadud region. Most of the cowpea belt, including coastal areas of the Middle Shabelle, Hiran and Mudug regions, received good and above normal rainfall during the dekad. Field reports confirmed light to moderate rainfall in parts of the Mudug and Galgadud regions on April 12^th, 18^th and 20^th.

In southern Somalia, satellite imagery indicates fairly good rains over most of the Bakol region during the dekad and in some parts of the Lower Juba region. Reports from the field confirm light rains in Bakol on 15^th and 16^th April. However, FSAU field monitors based in the agricultural areas of southern Somalia have reported that rainfall has so far been insufficient to germinate crops, with the exception of some rainfed areas in the Baidoa district. Compared to average, rainfall during the dekad was well below normal in most rainfed areas, particularly in the key rainfed production areas of the Bay and Gedo regions.

The unseasonably low river water level in the Shabelle River and the nearly dry Juba River continue to cause concern in irrigated areas. However, recent indications of rainfall in the Ethiopian highland catchment areas could have a positive effect on the river levels in the weeks ahead, particularly if rains continue.