Farmers in Matabeleland South have been warned not to expect meaningful rainfall until December, with climate experts cautioning that showers likely to fall in October and November will mark only a false start to the season.
The warning came from Provincial Meteorological Officer Rodgers Munyira during a Gwanda Rural District full council meeting.
“October to November will be very hot. During that time, we may get rains for two or three days, but it will not be the proper start of the season. It will be a false start,” he said.
Munyira explained that, unlike in the past when October to December rains were normal to above normal, the rainfall season is now expected to begin in December and extend until March.
He urged farmers to plan carefully, warning of a likely dry spell between late January and mid-February.
“There are some things we have noticed. We are predicting that end of January towards mid-February, there will be a dry spell. If we have 14 days without rain, you know what to do when farming,” he said.
The meteorologist also warned of lightning, thunderstorms, and strong winds that may accompany the rainy season. He added that rivers could swell even without local rains, raising the risk of flash floods that could destroy infrastructure, livestock and endanger lives.
On cyclones, Munyira said the department could not yet predict how many would occur this season but urged caution.
Climate experts note that climate change has altered rainfall patterns worldwide, with rainy seasons in Africa increasingly starting later or ending earlier. Heavy downpours, flash floods and prolonged dry spells have become more frequent, disrupting farming.
To help farmers adapt, the Meteorological Services Department will work with Agritex to provide updates, including 10-day forecasts issued every Tuesday and Friday.
“We will be packaging and releasing that information to the District Agritex office so they can distribute it to farmers and you as councillors to guide agricultural planning,” said Munyira.
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