You can’t plant now: Met Office

season.
The ongoing rains, according to senior meteorological officer in the meteorolopgical service department, Mr Jonathan Chifuna, have been received across the country since Saturday and are expected to end on Thursday.
“These are just first rains ‘Bumharutsva’ and do not signify the onset of the rainy season. We do not have the onset and cessation dates as these vary from area to area and from crop to crop,” he said.
He, however, urged farmers to get advice from farming experts.
Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected in Midlands, Mashonaland provinces, Harare, Manicaland and Masvingo today.
“Because of the high temperatures that the country has been experiencing, the expected storms can be violent in terms of high wind, lightning and hail,” he said.
Matabeleland South, Bulawayo and Matabeleland North are expected to experience afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
The highest rainfalls were recorded on Saturday at Chinhoyi and Harare Airport, which received 28mm and 13mm respectively.
On Sunday, Marondera recorded 38 mm, Chivhu 19mm and Rusape 18mm.
Mr Chifuna said the current rains were also affecting the region particularly, South Africa and Botswana and a heavy storm had been experienced in South Africa, killing one person.
“We have been experiencing high temperatures and the incidence of lightning is quite high.
“People should take necessary precautions against lightning and can get advice from the Central Protection Unit,” he said.
Due to the moist conditions being experienced at the moment, the Met Department said the risk of fire was greatly reduced although precautions should still be taken to safeguard life and property.
Zimbabwe expects a normal rainfall season during the 2011/12 summer cropping season.