By Vincent Gunde
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological(DCCMS) Services in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, says Dowa district is expected to receive generally normal rainfall amounts from October, 2023.
The Department says during the month of October, most parts of Dowa are forecasted to have dry conditions accompanied by strong winds, and that in November-December, there is a strong like load that most areas of the district are likely to receive rainfall amounts.
Speaking at a meeting of stakeholders from government sectors and NGOs to help disseminate the message in Dowa, the Department’s Meteorologist Edwin Tadeyo, said between mid-November and 2nd Week of December, 2023 the district is expected to receive 25 mmm of rainfall amount and the length of the season is expected to be 138 days.
Tadeyo said rainfall onset in Dowa district is expected to be between 3rd Week of November to 2nd Week of December, 2023 and there is chance of receiving below normal rainfall in the month of February, 2024.
He said the Department is expecting farmers in Dowa district to keep following messages and advisories with the Department of Agriculture to assist them on what best to do as this will support farmers and the general users on the ground.
The Meteorologist said Dowa is expected to be wet in January, 2024 with most areas receiving rainfall totals between 200-250 mm with dry spells lasting seven days or more expected in some areas such as East of Traditional Authority Chiwere.
“In February, 2024 below rainfall is expected in most areas with rainfall amount ranging from 100 to 150 mm while in April, 2024 cessation of rainfall is expected from 1st Week to the 2nd Week,” said Tadeyo.
In her remarks, Dowa District Council’s Director of Planning and Development Mercy Mpakule, expressed hope that government sectors and NGO partners will disseminate the information to other stakeholders to ensure that the message has reached out to all farmers in the district.
Mpakule said Dowa relies on agriculture and is a food basket district feeding other districts across the country saying if farmers make use of district’s downscaled seasonal forecast, farmers in the district are expected to realize a bumper harvest.
