Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification
Biophysical Indicators
The 3 months Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) show a positive progress in the entire county. Mbeere north and Mbeere south recovered from moderate drought, the current VCI values are 54 in Mbeere north and 41.26 in Mbeere south sub-counties.
Precipitation reduced notably in the month of May across the county, with reduced number of wet days compared to the previous month. The amount of rainfall received was 53.1 mm, much less compared to April. The month marks cessation of the long rains season.
Standard precipitation index (SPI) thus improved from 0.09 recorded in April to 0.25 in May.
Water situation is good and normal in both mixed farming and marginal mixed farming zones, with average return distances at 3.6 kilometres. Water sources in use include permanent seasonal sources, expected to last 4 months on average.
Turbidity and siltation is high in surface water sources due to surface runoff.
Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)
Pasture and browse is adequate and of good quality in the entire county hence reduced grazing distances for livestock. Livestock body condition is consequently good for all livestock species across the livelihood zones.
The terms of trade (TOT) for households in the month was 0.38
There was an increase in food prices in the month. This trend is expected to persist until the seasons harvest in July