Mellisa Mutasa Herald Reporter
The country is likely to have a wet weekend as heavy rainfall is expected in some parts of the country between today and Monday, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said. In a statement yesterday, MSD said heavy rainfall was expected for much of Matabeleland North, Midlands, Bulawayo and Harare, all Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland, as well as the northern part of Masvingo.

“The expected rainy situation is a combination of the presence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone aided by convergence resulting from pressure rising along the South African east coast. Added to this combination will be the heating around midday, which will further enhance rainfall activity,” said MSD.

It is forecast that the Eastern Highlands and some areas of Masvingo will receive rainfall in excess of 50mm in 24 hours, especially between today and tomorrow.

Meanwhile, farmers in some parts of country are worried as their crops are now showing signs of moisture stress, while in other areas farmers are already battling with pests that are spawned by continued dry weather conditions.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa told The Herald on Thursday that the situation was dire in some areas where farmers were losing crops daily.

“The current crop situation is quite bad as we have faced challenges of losing crops every day, mostly in Matabeleland North and South, Midlands, Mashonaland East and Masvingo.

“However, we might not recover all the crops that we have lost, but we are anticipating that these rains will improve the condition of crops, which are in their early stages and the young crops planted in December.

“These rains are good for the young crops and we expect better yields from these crops if the rains continue,” said Mr Chabikwa.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union executive director Mr Paul Zakaria also said in a recent interview an estimated 30 percent of crops across the country are now a write-off.

“Farmers have been left in a desperate situation because most crops are now stressed out. The situation is better to those farmers who irrigated their fields,” said Mr Zakaria.