By Derick Tsimba

Following the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) that was held recently, the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe (MSD) has convened the 2020 National Climate Outlook Forum (NACOF) for the upcoming rainfall season which is going to be characterised by normal to above normal rainfall.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the MSD on, 02 September 2020, in a statement unveiled by the Zimbabwe National Climate Outlook for the country’s farming regions from October to December 2020 period.

“Region one; Harare Metropolitan, much of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, north-eastern parts of Midlands, most of Manicaland are going to receive normal-to-above normal rainfall.

“Region two; the greater part of Matabeleland North, parts of Bulawayo Metropolitan, parts of Midlands and parts of Mashonaland West, are going to receive normal to below normal rainfall. Region three; Masvingo, the bulk of Midlands, the bulk of Bulawayo Metropolitan, the extreme southern parts of Manicaland and the bulk of Matabeleland South are going to receive normal to above normal rainfall,” said the MSD.

The Met Department also said it was going to continue monitoring the rain season climate indictors updating rainfall patterns beginning end of October this year.  “The MSD will continue to monitor all the available seasonal climate indicators which influence Zimbabwe’s rainfall as they evolve. Thus, the seasonal rainfall predictions will be updated on a monthly basis beginning end of October.”

The Harare Post has learnt there is need to continue with water harvesting programmes and conservation agriculture practices. The policies of small dam construction, borehole drilling/deepening, rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, conservation and protection of wetlands should continue. Violent storms, prolonged dry spells, flash floods and tropical cyclones cannot be ruled out as the season progresses.