adminEvelene Taadira Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWEANS should brace for a good rainfall season for the six months beginning October this year, a senior meteorologist in the Meteorological Services department has said.Ms Linia Mashawi made the announcement yesterday during the National Climate Outlook Forum which met to review the 2012/13 rainfall season and reveal forecasts for next season.
“It will be a good rainfall season over Region I and II, but for Region III we are expecting a bit of dryness starting from February into the end of the season,” she said.
Mashonaland provinces — Harare, most of Matabeleland North, northwest Matabeleland South, Bulawayo, most of Manicaland, northern parts of Masvingo and northern parts of Midlands — are in Region I and II.
Region III consists of most of Masvingo, the extreme southern parts of Manicaland, southeast Matabeleland South and the southern parts of Midlands.
“From October, November and December we expect normal to above normal rainfall over all of the meteorological regions and the same applies for November, December and January though there is still a 25 percent probability of having below normal rainfall in the whole country during the same period.
“As we move further into the season, the country’s Region I and II are expected to continue in this trend until March. However, Region III will have a decline in rainfall starting from December to the end of the season,” she said.
Yesterday’s meeting follows the Southern Africa Regional Forum which was recently hosted by Zimbabwe, where regional climate experts also predicted a good rainfall season for the region.
The forecast does not, however, reflect how the rainfall would be distributed within the six months. Last year, dry spells compromised harvests as the rains were unevenly distributed.
Ms Mashawi implored farmers and other stakeholders to make use of the forecast.
“This forecast is a decision support tool which if combined with other information can be useful in agriculture and other weather sensitive activities,” she said.
Department of Civil Protection Union deputy director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndhlovu said there was likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas and the department would soon plan accordingly.
“We are going to call the national civil protection committee and analyse the forecast and plan programmes accordingly. We are likely to address the usually low-lying areas so that they are aware and protected in case of floods.
“We also have to prepare for all the related hazards from the rainfall season such as hailstorms and lightning strikes and thunderstorms,” she said.
Yesterday’s statement is a boon for farmers as they plan for the summer cropping season. Agritex agronomist Ms Tamburiro Pasipangodya said they would soon issue relevant messages to farmers.
“Following today’s announcement, we are going to be sitting down as agronomists and produce a document outlining our extension messages. These will be given out by the department as soon as possible because some of the messages are already there,” she said.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union second vice president Mr Berean Mukwende urged farmers to heed the forecast.
“Those in Region III should grow drought-resistant crops and short season varieties. They should also use conservation agriculture strategies like ripping which preserves soil moisture,” he said.
Mr Mukwende urged farmers to be calm as they prepare for the season.
“Those in Region III should not be alarmed and those in the northern areas should also not relax. Farmers should also heed the 10-day weather forecast that will be issued in the course of the season so that they get area-specific updates,” he said.
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