New data compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that the 2025-26 drought is intensifying rapidly and is likely to be as severe and widespread as previous major droughts of 2022, 2017 and 2011. The analysis is based on data compiled by FAO’s Somali Water and Land Information Management System (SWALIM) system, who have recently updated their Combined Drought Index (CDI). The CDI integrates rainfall and temperature data to provide a robust measure of drought conditions, capturing rainfall deficits, and temperature-driven moisture stress over several successive seasons.