Zambia is this year again expected to experience a poor rainfall pattern.
Meteorological Department Director, Jacob Nkomoki says that the El-nino hot wind from the Pacific Ocean is likely to have a negative effect on the rainfall pattern.
Presenting the 2015/2016 seasonal rainfall forecast for the country in Mambwe district yesterday, Mr. Nkomoki explained that the El-nino is a phenomenon that starts from the tropical sea and is being celebrated by people around the Pacific Ocean because it symbolizes good luck for fish farmers around the area.
He says that Zambia is likely to receive about 200 to 350 millimetres of rains, which is normal to below normal in the months of October, November and December 2015.
Mr. Nkomoki says the situation is likely to continue until next year in January if the El-nino will continue influencing the country.
He says the country’s rainfall pattern is expected to improve by the end of January to March next year.
And Mr. Nkomoki has urged farmers to get advice from experts from the Ministry of Agriculture on the best time to plant their crops.
Meanwhile The Meteorological Department in partnership with UNDP has embarked on a project of sensitizing people on climate change and early warning systems.
Meteorological Department Director, Jacob Nkomoki says the department has extended its operations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Energy due to climate change
He was speaking during a forum for the 2015/2016 seasonal rainfall forecast, in Mambwe district yesterday.
Mr Nkomoki says climate change has negatively affected the environment in Zambia, resulting into the drying of most rivers.
He says the impact of climate change cannot be stopped but measures should be put in place to conduct early detections on the weather.
Mr Nkomoki says that the four year project will assist in providing reliable weather information and provide early warning to people using the media.
The director added that government has installed 33 automatic weather machines countrywide while another 28 machines under the project have also been installed.
And Mambwe District Commissioner, Caroline Mwanza thanked UNDP for taking the project to the district, which she said has not been spared from climate change.
Ms. Mwanza says the common disaster in Mambwe are floods which affects people and crops, adding that early warning will assist the district prepare well for such calamities.