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In a statement yesterday, the Meteorological Services Department said since mid-January this year, rainfall activity has been largely concentrated towards the northern districts of the country.
Although some parts of the country especially the northern districts of the Midlands, Mashonaland, Harare and Manicaland have been receiving normal rainfall, the situation has not been the same in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and some parts of Matabeleland North, southern parts of Midlands and Masvingo where rains below 75 percent of the average seasonal rainfall have been recorded.
“Matabeleland provinces, Bulawayo and south of the Midlands and Masvingo have so far received rains that are below 75 percent of their long term mean while the rest of the country has received rains in the normal category of between 75 percent and 125 percent of the long term mean,” said the Meteorological Department.
The department said Inyathi in Matabeleland North has recorded the lowest rainfall total so far, with an average of 116mm since the start of the rainy season while the highest average rainfall has been recorded in Marondera (755mm), Murehwa (714mm) Harare Belvedere (693mm) and Gokwe (581mm).
Mashonaland region, Harare, parts of Matabeleland North and the northern districts of the Midlands and Manicaland are expected to continue receiving rains into the middle of February while the southern parts of the country that are dry at the moment are expected to witness a resumption in rainfall activity as from today until mid-month.
The Meteorological Services Department said the rains were expected to be in the form of scattered to numerous thundershowers that would likely give moderate to heavy rains.
A serious drought is looming in the southern parts of the country, as most crops are reportedly almost a write-off due to moisture stress.
Farmers in Matabeleland North and South have expressed concern over erratic rains that have left their crops wilted and already showing signs of reduced yields.
This is despite seasonal forecast by the Meteorological Services Department late last year and early last month that above normal rains were expected in the period January to March and that there was going to be heavy rains accompanied by floods starting last month to about mid February.
Farmers’ organisations now feel even if they receive rains anytime, there would be little change on the condition of crops and ultimately that of livestock and appealed to the Government to expedite intervention measures before hunger affects their communities.
They hope the predicted increased rainfall between February and March would raise hopes for the future of livestock and drinking water.
Bulawayo received light showers yesterday afternoon.
Farmers in Bulilima and Mangwe districts recently said planting started late towards the end of December last year because of the delay in the rainy season, which affected the condition of draught power.
Although not giving figures, farmers said the areas under cropping were less compared to last season.
Chronicle noticed that crops in some parts of Matabeleland North and South and Bulawayo’s urban farms have already wilted and would be a write-off if rains do not fall soon.
The Governor of Matabeleland South, Angeline Masuku, said although farmers received seed on time, they were worried because of the continued dry spell as crops were wilting.
Mr Donald Khumalo, the president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), said they were worried the looming drought would wipe out hundreds of livestock.
He urged farmers to prepare hay with the available pastures before veld fires destroy them.
“Livestock is threatened. As a prime cattle ranching region, the situation we are in is worrying because there is no grazing grass as we speak and there is a need for intervention strategies by all stakeholders as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Khumalo.
Online Reporter