Several drought hotspots have emerged across Eastern Africa, including southern Burundi, southeastern Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, large parts of Somalia, western South Sudan, central–northwestern Uganda, and central–western Tanzania. Analysis of September–November rainfall using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) reveals significant rainfall deficits across most of these areas. Corresponding crop and pasture warning levels indicate that these deficits have translated into soil moisture shortages, vegetation stress, or a combination of both. Collectively, these conditions have elevated alert levels in the affected areas, signalling heightened vulnerability to agricultural and pastoral impacts.