Sahel Report No 3/96 Mauritania

MAURITANIA

Good rains in late July in the south and the south-east benefited recently planted crops. Following the onset of the first rains in June, some precipitation was registered in the south-east during the first dekad of July and in the south-west during the second dekad but remained generally below normal. By contrast, the third dekad was much more watered with substantials falls around 24 and 29 July, notably in the south-east. These good rains benefited plantings and crop emergence. In early August, precipitation decreased but remained widespread. Early plantings are tillering/elongating in Guidimakha and the two Hodhs. Crops are emerging in Assaba, Brakna and Gorgol areas. Pasture are starting to grow in the centre and the south-east.

Desert Locust numbers increased during the first half of July in the south-west and south-east where solitary adults were present west of Aleg and east of Nema. Nomads saw a small group of adults near Aioun El Atrous on 11 July and a mature swarm near Nema on 15 July. During the second half of the month, infestations persisted in the above areas. On 21-25 July, there was a total of seven reports of low density swarms moving south in southern Adrar, Inchiri, Tagant and south-western Trarza. Additional adults and perhaps a few small swarms are likely to appear in central and southern areas early in August. Breeding is expected to be in progress in some areas of the south, especially in the two Hodhs where recent rainfall has been the heaviest and to a lesser extent in southern Trarza. Breeding will continue and probably extend to other central and southern areas. Low numbers of hoppers are likely to appear from early August onwards and fledge.

**Satellite images (cold cloud duration) for the three last dekads.**

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