The National Meteorological Agency (Mali-Météo) issued an alert on March 9, 2026, warning of a significant rise in temperatures across the country, with maximum readings forecast between 34°C and 45°C from March 9 to 15.
According to Mali-Météo, which operates under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the heat surge will affect all regions of the country, marking an intensification of temperatures at the onset of the hot season. Sahelian and Saharan zones in the north could see temperatures reach as high as 45°C — levels that are typical for this time of year.
The March-to-May period represents the peak of Mali’s hot season, preceding the arrival of the first rains of the wet season. In towns such as Kayes, Gao and Timbuktu, temperatures regularly exceed 40°C, heightening health risks for the population.
In response, Mali-Météo is urging residents to take precautions — particularly during the month of Ramadan — including staying well hydrated during permitted hours, limiting prolonged exposure to the sun, wearing light and appropriate clothing, cooling down regularly and keeping a close watch on vulnerable individuals such as children, the elderly and the sick.
The extreme heat is also expected to affect economic and social activity: electricity demand for fans and air conditioning will rise sharply, in a context where power supply remains at times unreliable; and agriculture and livestock are likely to feel the strain, as soils and water sources dry up rapidly ahead of the rainy season.
Scientists have also noted an accelerating warming trend in the Sahel, with extreme heat episodes becoming increasingly frequent in recent years.
Against this backdrop, Mali-Météo is calling on the public to remain vigilant throughout the alert period, as the country gradually enters the hottest phase of the year.
MD/te/sf/lb/as/APA