Climate observatory warns of water shortages as dry season intensifies.

The warning was made public in the body’s latest Dekadal Climate Early Warning Bulletin No. 244, covering December 1 to 10, 2025. 

According to the bulletin, the period will be marked by a high risk of recording cases of conflict, linked to the scarcity of water resources.

The document states that the period will be marked by scarce rainfall in the Sudano-Sahelian zone and a progressive shift into the long dry season across the Centre, East, Littoral, South-West, North-West and West regions. 

The forecast bulletin further reports that rainfall will remain significantly below average in the monomodal rainforest, western highlands and bimodal rainforest zones, while the Adamawa region will record only light, sporadic rain ranging from 0 to 8mm.

The bulletin attributes reduced precipitation to the seasonal transition, highlighting that the dry season will continue uninterrupted in the Far North, North and Adamawa regions. Localities in the South region will record a gradual end to the long rainy season, with reduced rainfall also expected across the Centre and East regions. 

According to the bulletin, the scarcity of rainfall in the Far North and North regions poses a risk of increased pressure on limited water resources. The bulletin outlines further sector-specific impacts tied to the intensifying dry season.

In agriculture, the reduction in rainfall increases the likelihood of crop degradation in the bimodal and monomodal forest zones, while humidity in southern zones may still cause deterioration of cocoa seeds and rotting of produce. 

In the health sector, stagnant water in some southern and savannah localities may support the proliferation of mosquitoes, while dry, dusty conditions in the Sudano-Sahelian zone may lead to respiratory illnesses. 

The observatory also notes heightened risks of waterborne diseases in areas where polluted runoff can contaminate drinking sources. 

Environmental impacts include the risk of landslides in the South-West, Littoral, North-West and West regions, where waterlogged soil from previous rains combines with steep terrains. 

The water and energy sector may face cases of infrastructure damage from transformers to transmission lines linked to rainfall in southern areas, while urban zones like Douala may experience further disruption due to soil saturation accumulated earlier in the season. 

Livestock may also be affected, with the bulletin identifying respiratory diseases and foot rot as threats linked to humidity, cold nights and muddy soils in specific zones. 

To mitigate risks, NOCC recommends strict water and food hygiene, avoiding exposure to cold winds, and dressing warmly, particularly during the night. 

It advises farmers to follow the institution’s agricultural calendar and urges livestock owners to seek support from zoo-technical services. 

The bulletin also cautions residents against crossing flooded areas, avoiding submerged structures, and refraining from taking shelter under trees during rainfall.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3645 of Thursday December 04, 2025