2025 warmth threatens dry-season droughts across Tanzania’s north and coast

Meteorologists in Tanzania warn that as December 2025 begins, many parts of the country, especially along the coast and in northern highlands, face a period of hot, dry weather with lower-than-usual rainfall. Forecasts show that the short-rains season (Vuli) is starting late this year, and rainfall amounts are expected to be suppressed, especially in coastal and northeastern zones. Such conditions raise alarm for water stress, reduced crop yields, and hardship for communities dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Officials urge households to conserve water, consider drought-resistant planting and prepare for a hotter-than-normal short dry season.