The 3 climate zones
The Saharan zone, in the north of the country, is characterized by an arid climate with low and irregular rainfall, less than 200 mm per year. In this environment, people are essentially nomads, constantly on the move with their herds of camels and goats. The average annual rainfall in Fada is 100 mm, and in Faya 25 mm! Many regions have not seen rain for years. The climate is hostile: a sandy plain swept by drying winds almost all year round in Borkou, temperatures in excess of 50°C in the hot season, dropping below 0°C in winter. Tibesti holds the record for harshness, with temperature differences between day and night reaching 30°C. It freezes like a stone at night during the four winter months from November to February, and the Emi Koussi caldera has even been dusted with snow!
The Sahelian zone, in the center of the country, has a semi-arid climate and vegetation ranging from steppe to savannah. This region is often threatened by desertification, with annual rainfall ranging from 200 to 600 mm. Rainfall lasts two, three or, more rarely, four months. The rest of the year is a very long dry season. The government sets up rain barriers, i.e. blockades manned by local residents, to prevent vehicles from getting bogged down and further deforming the road. April to June are dry and hot, with temperatures sometimes approaching 50°C, while November to February are cool, with lows as low as 8°C. This is by far the most pleasant season for travel. For both tourists and Chadian peasants, the hot season is the most difficult, with families living on granary reserves, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to cultivate the fields to replenish their food stocks.
The Sudanese zone, in the south of the country, has a humid tropical climate, with a rainy season from May to October. Rainfall here can reach 1,200 mm and, in places, the vegetation is reminiscent of tropical forests. The Salamat and Logone regions are practically covered in water during this period, virtually prohibiting all traffic and forcing wildlife to move to drier pastures, exposing them to poaching.
Seasonality
The dry season in the Saharan and Sahelian zones extends from November to June, while in the wetter Sudanese zone, rains can start as early as mid-May.
Rainy season: in the south between May and October, in the center and north - very irregularly - from June to October.
In N'Djamena: from July to September, thunderstorms and rain, with temperatures fluctuating between 21°C and 35°C. Humidity levels are high.
Cold dry season: from November to February, evenings and nights are cool. The thermometer can read as low as 8°C in the south and in the Sahel, and below 0°C in the desert! The Harmattan wind blows during this time of year, sometimes causing sand and dust winds.
Hot, dry season: from late March to June, with an average temperature of 32°C. The hottest days reach impressive temperatures of around 45°C in the shade.
The impact of global warming
As elsewhere in the world, global warming is having both visible and foreseeable consequences. Over the past 50 years, average temperatures in Chad have risen by between 1°C and 1.5°C. This rise in temperature has been accompanied by an increase in the frequency and intensity of periods of extreme heat, while the rare periods of extreme cold have decreased significantly. By 2050, experts predict that temperatures in the region will have risen by between 1.5 and 3.5°C, depending on forecasting models. This rise in average temperatures will be accompanied by a lengthening and intensification of heat waves. At the same time, the number of hot days will increase considerably according to these forecasts. Precipitation is also likely to increase considerably, bringing with it the risk of flooding.
The problem of access to water
Chad faces a major challenge in terms of access to water, both for consumption and for domestic needs. Access to water is very unevenly distributed across the country, with some areas particularly hard hit due to geological, climatic and other factors.
In bedrock areas, where aquifers are discontinuous and water is contained in specific geological structures, drilling is rarely successful, making access to water particularly difficult. In rural areas, water points created by the Chadian state or its partners are often shared between several villages, forcing inhabitants to travel long distances and walk for hours to reach them.
In some regions, such as the Lake Chad province, people use water from open wells or ponds without any treatment. In these areas, the collection of water for domestic use is often the responsibility of women and girls, forcing them to travel long distances, which leads to health and safety problems.
Water quality is also a problem in large towns such as Moundou, as well as in certain districts in and around the capital N'Djamena, where supplies come from uncontrolled individual boreholes, often located close to latrines or cesspools, increasing the risk of water contamination and the spread of water-borne diseases.
In addition, the challenges associated with access to water are exacerbated by climate change, which is affecting water resources in the Sahelian region. Droughts are becoming more frequent and water resources more limited, directly impacting food security and the health of local populations.
The situation of access to water in Chad is of great concern and requires urgent attention to improve the quality and availability of this vital resource for local populations.
