Govt issues drought warning

Government has issued a drought alert advisory saying Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Masvingo and the southern parts of the Midlands and Manicaland provinces are likely to receive below normal rainfall, government has said.

For the period October to December, the same areas would have experienced normal to below normal rainfall.

The northern parts of the country (Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland, Harare, the northern areas of Masvingo and Midlands) will fare better with normal to above normal rainfall.

Yesterday Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri released the localised rainfall forecast for the 2015/16 season saying  the country had to brace itself for a drought in the approaching season.

"In other words, as for now, chances are high that our season may not get the usual rains,"

"It must be pointed out that, despite the outlook, the weather patterns have changed abruptly.

"Accordingly, the ministry will continue monitoring the weather and rainfall pattern and will continue to provide regular updates."

 Muchinguri-Kashiri said rainfall was becoming too extreme and highly variable from year to year.

She said that between October and December this year, on average the country would experience very low rainfall which would gradually increase from late December to February next year when the rains are forecast to be within the normal range.