-conditions expected to normalise

-by Celestine Chacon

The Hydromet Office in Guyana is warning that the El Niño conditions are expected to persist through the remainder of 2026 and potentially into 2027, with reduced rainfall and rising temperatures.

However, Chief Hydrometeorological Officer Dr. Garvin Cummings says the conditions are expected to gradually ease, with weather patterns eventually returning to normal.

Speaking at the Ministry of Agriculture’s El Niño Preparedness Forum at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Monday, Cummings explained that while El Niño can result in increased rainfall in some parts of the world, Guyana typically experiences reduced rainfall during the phenomenon.

“In our context, it means that our rainfall will be significantly reduced, and therefore we have to take actions to ensure that we save our property and investments on land,” he said.

Cummings says the September-to-November period is expected to see rainfall below the country’s normal levels.

Normally, some areas of Guyana record rainfall totals of about 600 millimetres, while other areas receive between 400 and 500 millimetres.

However, the forecast indicates that rainfall totals could be significantly lower this year, with the highest projected amounts reaching only approximately 450 to 480 millimetres in some areas.

The Hydromet chief says the immediate concern is rising temperatures, while continued dry conditions later in the year could place additional pressure on water resources.

Despite the current outlook, Cummings says the situation is not expected to remain severe indefinitely.

“Things will return to normal , this is not a gloom and doom and death sort of thing, the information provided is just to help you to prepare but as someone once said Guyana never misses a May/June rainfall event,” he explained.

Barima-Waini, Region One is among the few locations where relatively higher rainfall totals are expected.

The Hydromet Office is therefore urging farmers to use the forecast information to plan ahead, as authorities continue to monitor the situation.