By: Modou Kanteh
The government of the Gambia through the Department of Water Resources has released the 2025 seasonal rainfall on Friday 16 May at the NaNa conference hall. It is a traditional that every year the government gives Season Rainfall Prediction (SRP) to the public.
This year’s rainfall is expected to start on 12-19 June in Upper River Region and Central River Region. In the Greater Banjul Area, West Coast Region, Lower River Region and North Bank Region will be delayed until around 25 June 2025.
Since 1998, The Gambia’s Department of Water Resources, in collaboration with meteorological and hydrological services across the sub-region, has been issuing seasonal forecasts. These forecasts have demonstrated a commendable level of accuracy and reliability, and have become an essential reference for various sectors.
Speaking at the occasion, the deputy permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters Fanta Bojang Samateh said the Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the region’s most vulnerable to the effects of climate variability and change. She pointed out that this is due largely to its economic dependence on natural resources.
“In our context, the characteristics of the rainy season—its onset, cessation, distribution, and the frequency of dry spells—are crucial determinants of agricultural productivity and water availability,” the DPS said.
She said the combined pressures of environmental change, population growth, and increased climate variability have heightened the risks to our agricultural systems and intensified the frequency of natural disasters. According to her projections suggest a future marked by rising temperatures, increased rainfall variability, sea level rise. The DPS pointed out that The Government remains firmly committed to reducing poverty and building resilience through the implementation of the Gambia Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027). She said Climate services, including weather and seasonal forecasting, are central to this vision.
According to DPS Bojang-Samateh, The Department of Water Resources continues to prioritize observation, monitoring, and prediction of weather, climate, and water resources as part of its core mandate. However, she said the effective use of this information requires a more inclusive, multi-disciplinary approach—one that bridges research, policy, community participation, and development partnerships.
This year’s the event was supported by World Food Programme of the United Nations through the Rural Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building (RICAR).