Harare, (New Ziana) – 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.

New Ziana