adminCallie-Lou Kakwere Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe will next week host the 17th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum where weather experts are expected to come up with a consensus outlook for the 2013/2014 rainfall season in the Sadc re- gion.Sadc Climate Services Centre co-ordinator Mr Bradwell Garanganga told The Herald that the forum to be held from August 28-30 in Harare would be held under the theme: “Advancing Adaptation to Impacts of Climate Variability through Application of Climate Information and Prediction Services for Sustainable Development”.
“The forum will discuss the potential impact of the consensus seasonal climate outlook on socio-economic sectors including disaster risk management, food security, health, water resources and hydro-power management, among others,” he said.
The forum would be preceded by a nine-day climate experts capacity building workshop of Sadc national meteorological and hydrological services personnel to develop the critical inputs for the 2013/14 seasonal climate forecast.
“The forum will also review the October 2012 to March 2013 rainy season for the Sadc region,” Mr Garanganga said.
The objective of the Sarcof-17 is to come up with a seasonal forecast for the coming cropping season. Weather predictions offer vital information for the region to help policy makers and farmers to make important decisions on food security matters.
Sarcof-17 is a collaborative effort between the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Sadc Climate Services Centre, Sadc National Meteorological/Hydrolocal Services, African Development Bank (AfDB,) World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), United Nations Development Programme and other partners.
Online Reporter