Nhamo et al. (2026) Impacts and interventions for extreme weather events in Southern Africa

Identification

• Journal: Elsevier eBooks
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-01
• Authors: Luxon Nhamo, Sylvester Mpandeli, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi
• DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-443-21584-1.00015-6

Research Groups

• Water Research Commission of South Africa
• Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS), University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda
• Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
• Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
• United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Short Summary

This paper synthesizes the impacts of extreme weather events, particularly drought, on Southern Africa's agriculture and proposes integrated interventions for enhanced water management and resilience. It highlights the need for institutional planning, regional-to-local strategies, and diverse approaches to mitigate drought effects.

Objective

• To analyze the impacts of extreme weather events, specifically drought, on agriculture and water resources in Southern Africa, and to identify effective interventions and pathways for improved water management and resilience.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Southern Africa (regional).
• Temporal Scale: Not explicitly defined for a specific study period, but addresses ongoing and future challenges related to extreme weather events and long-term resilience strategies.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not specified in the provided text. The chapter appears to be a review and synthesis of existing knowledge and approaches.
• Data sources: Not explicitly specified as particular datasets. The chapter synthesizes information on drought occurrence, impacts, and management strategies, likely drawing from existing literature, observations, and policy documents.

Main Results

• Extreme weather events, particularly droughts, significantly impact agriculture and livelihoods in Southern Africa.
• Effective drought management requires institutionalized planning, monitoring, and early warning systems.
• Livelihood and vulnerability assessments, alongside addressing gender and social issues, are crucial for comprehensive drought response.
• A combination of regional strategic thinking and localized action is essential for enhancing water management.
• Key pathways for improved water management include drought-proofing agricultural investments, integrating local knowledge, exploring drought insurance, and enhancing weather information communication.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive synthesis of the impacts of extreme weather events (drought) in Southern Africa.
• Proposes a multi-faceted framework for enhancing water management and resilience, encompassing institutional, social, economic, and technological interventions.
• Emphasizes the critical role of integrated approaches, from regional policy to local knowledge, in addressing climate extremes.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Nhamo2026Impacts,
  author = {Nhamo, Luxon and Mpandeli, Sylvester and Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe},
  title = {Impacts and interventions for extreme weather events in Southern Africa},
  journal = {Elsevier eBooks},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/b978-0-443-21584-1.00015-6},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-21584-1.00015-6}
}