ADDIS ABABA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Meteorology Agency on Thursday warned farmers over the prospect of above-average rainfall with a probable thunderstorm in the coming few days.
The current alert is the second in a month as the East African country encountered a powerful moisturized wind approaching the country after crossing the equator.
The announcement, which came amid Ethiopia's battle with the ongoing drought that has affected 7.8 million people, revealed that almost all regional states in the country could benefit from the prospect above-average rainfall, if necessary water-saving measures are taken.
As Ethiopia's major rainy season approaches, the agency also suggested that most part of Ethiopia may benefit from the expected rainfall to tackle the ongoing drought.
The announcement also revealed that the above-average rainfall could be accompanied with thunderstorm and unexpected rainfall, threatening some cereal producing areas in the country.
The meteorological authority has recommended farmers and institutions to take effective water-saving measures to combat the long-term impact of the drought.
The imminent rainy season is said to be a good turn to Ethiopia's drought-hit agricultural production despite the country's fall armyworm outbreak that wrecked havoc into six major maize harvesting regions, partially damaging over 145,000 hectares of maize production.
