Maravi

ZMD predicts reduced rainfall in South

ZMD predicts reduced rainfall in South
By Joan Chirwa
Friday January 18, 2008 [03:00]


THE ZAMBIA Meteorological Department (ZMD) has predicted a slight reduction in the amount of rainfall in the southern half of the country during the coming week. And the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has said the current rainfall pattern is posing a serious threat to the agricultural industry in the country.

Senior forecast officer at the meteorological department Anderson Mulambu, in an interview, said most parts of the country are likely to experience slightly reduced rainfall in the next few days through to next week compared to what has been received in the past weeks.

Our forecast for this week and next week is that the southern half of the country, which includes Southern Province, parts of Lusaka Province, part of Eastern Province and part of Western Province, will receive reduced rains," Mulambu said. "We may not have heavy rains this week and next week."

Mulambu said the rain forecast for January, February and March however show that the country would experience normal to above normal rainfall in most parts.

Zambia has this rainy season experienced above normal rains, leading to floods around Lusaka, Eastern and the Southern parts of the country, with a number of people being rendered homeless while crops and some bridges have been washed away in the process.

Apart from Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique are other countries that have been affected by flooding due to the heavy rains experienced this season.

And ZNFU executive director Songowayo Zyambo said although it is early to quantify the impact of the heavy rains, it is however clear that farmers would this year record a reduction in crop yields.

"The cotton crop is generally stunted exhibiting retarded growth. The overall situation will only improve if substantial break in rainfall and cloud cover is experienced throughout Zambia in the immediate future," Zyambo stated. "The union is observing the situation and will soon initiate agricultural industry consultations to develop private sector consensus which will be the basis for discussions with other stakeholders who include government."

Labels: RAINFALL, SOUTHERN PROVINCE, ZMD

posted by MrK @ 3:58 AM