Zimbabwe in line to get significant rainfall

Zimbabwe is expected to receive widespread rains from next Saturday depending on the path of tropical storm Eleven currently affecting Madagascar.

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD), in a statement, said the country is presently experiencing a dry spell, but showers and possible thundershowers were expected across parts of the north and north-west

this week.

“Tropical Storm Eleven is expected to reach Mozambique by Friday and it may bring widespread rains from Saturday,” said the MSD.

“The widespread rains expected for Zimbabwe from Saturday are dependent on the path of tropical storm Eleven, which can change at any given time. If the storm maintains its current trajectory, we will receive the rains.”

The 2024/2025 rainfall season coincided with a weak La Niña phase with

better rainfall prospects from the second sub-season until the end of the forecast period, which spans from November-March.

The start of the 2024/25 planting season saw near-normal rainfall in

some areas but uneven distribution and below-average rainfall in early December hindered planting operations.

The previous season’s El Niño-induced drought resulted in significantly

reduced crop yields, leaving most areas with below-average food stocks and high food prices.

With the improved rainfall throughout the season, crop production is expected to rebound this year although full recovery from the drought may take time.

This means many households are likely still to face food insecurity

during the lean season due to the impact of the previous drought. NewZiana