2016

The Southern Africa region experienced a severe El Nino–induced drought during the 2015-16 rainy season. The drought depleted above and below groundwater resources for human consumption and for crop and livestock production. As a result of the drought, 634,000 cattle were reported to have died because of disease outbreaks and inadequate pasture and water. The rainfall had already been poor during the previous rainy season. On 18 February 2016 the Eswatini Government declared the drought a national emergency. In September and October 2016 Eswatini was in desperate need of water but the rains where late again.