World: Locust Watch: Seasonal precipitation predictions in the Desert Locust summer and winter breeding areas (July–December 2026) (18 June 2026)

Countries: World, Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Please refer to the attached file. The dynamical models indicate that El Niño conditions are persisting, with a likelihood of becoming one of the strongest on record. Drier‐than‐normal conditions are expected in East Africa, the Red Sea area, and the Arabian Peninsula during July and August, while above‐normal rainfall is forecast in northern Africa. From September onwards, wetter conditions are expected to develop in association with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, expanding to widespread above‐normal rainfall across northern and eastern Africa and the Middle East by October. Drier‐than‐normal conditions are expected to persist in India until October. Gregarious breeding will conclude in Morocco and Algeria. Summer breeding will begin in Mauritania and, at a smaller scale, in other Sahelian areas in July. Breeding should continue in the Western Region during August and September, increasing the risk of outbreaks from September onwards.