Thursday, December 17, 2009

ZMD predicts increase in rainfall

ZMD predicts increase in rainfall
By Florence Bupe
Thu 17 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT

THE Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) has projected an increase in rainfall activities over the next 10 days which is likely to result in flash flooding in some areas.

According to the latest Crop Weather bulletin covering the current dekad, the department stated that most parts of the country would have increased rainfall, moving from the dry spell that had been experienced over the last dekad.

“The expected increase in rainfall activities in the next dekad is likely to cause some flash floods in areas where the water table is still high. These include Lusaka, Western and some parts of Southern Province,” the department stated.

The bulletin, however, indicated that the reduction in rains had not negatively affected farming activities as the weather provided a conducive environment for farm management.

“The reported dry spell in Central, Lusaka and parts of Eastern Province did not really affect the already germinated crops because most of the places had enough soil moisture to support plant growth,” the bulletin stated.

ZMD further advised farmers who have not yet planted their maize seed to plant the early maturing varieties, as time for the cultivation of late maturing seed had run out.

On rainfall volumes, the bulletin stated that since the beginning of the season, Mwinilunga, Solwezi and Kawambwa received above 400 millimetres, while Lundazi and Petauke recorded the lowest cumulative figures at 106 millimetres and 105 millimetres of rainfall, respectively.

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