Samantha Chigogo Herald Correspondent
Rains which hit most parts of the country beginning Sunday marked the beginning of the 2015-6 rainfall season in Zimbabwe, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said. The department said in a statement that the rain season started as expected in three provinces. “This rainy episode marks the beginning of the official rainfall season for 2015-16 for the whole of Zimbabwe,” reads the statement.

“For all three Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland and North of Midlands (Gokwe) region the season has started as expected. However for the southern provinces, the season started late. The maps indicate that to date, only the extreme north-east of the country has received more rains than usual.“

MSD said the frequency of the rain would increase by the end of November. “The rain bearing systems are becoming prevalent and organised as this week progresses,” reads the statement. “The rains are forecast to increase from around November 21 and peak in the last week of November.”

The MSD said although the country would be affected by frequent light afternoon rains, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and the southern areas of Manicaland and Midlands would be “drier and cooler than of late”.

MSD said notable rains were received across different met stations in the country. “On November 14 2015, a cloud system which started moving into Zimbabwe through Matabeleland provinces and combined with the high temperatures triggered some light thundershowers,” the department said.

“This cloud system then spread rapidly to cover much of the country on the 15th and with it also came violent thundershowers that were accompanied by hail and gusty winds.”

“Between November 14 and 16 Chimanimani recorded a high of 46 mm while Karoi, Buffalo Range and Chisengu stations recorded a fair of 25mm.Chisumbanje, Chivhu, West Nicholson, Wedza, Mvurwi, Mt Darwin and Logan Park-Harare also received a meaningful amount of rainfall so far.”

The cool weather is expected to clear by the end of the week and the whole country will record daytime temperatures ranging from 28°C to 34°C. The country is reportedly enduring the effects of climate change as it is experiencing a shift in seasons, rainfall distribution and frequency.

In normal seasons, most parts of Zimbabwe receive rains between early October and March, but of late rains are received later than usual and the country is experiencing longer mid-season dry spells. Farmers have already started planting maize with others intensifying land preparation for the 2015 summer cropping season.