Patience Maturure

Agriculture Reporter

MOST parts of the country have continued to receive rain, with farmers taking advantage of the wet conditions to plant and carry out land preparations.

According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), the country experienced widespread thunderstorms on Monday, with some areas receiving high rainfall above 100mm.

Significant rainfall was recorded in areas such as Buffalo Range, Kezi and Chisumbanje.

“Scattered thunderstorms occurred across the country, with cloudy and mild conditions prevailing,” said the MSD in a weather update.

“Areas such as Buffalo Range received 112 millimeters, Kezi 106 millimeters, Chisumbanje 87 millimeters, Manama Mberengwa 75 millimeters, Monyoroka Triangle 64 millimeters, Mabee Chipinge 66 millimeters, Garahwa 60 millimeters and Maranda Agritex 60 millimeters. The rest of the country, however, received less than 60mm.”

According to the MSD, Harare and the surrounding areas is expected to be mostly cloudy with mild weather, extending across all of Mashonaland and the northern parts of the Midlands, as well as Bulawayo Metropolitan and Matabeleland North Provinces.

The afternoon is expected to turn cloudy and warm, bringing scattered thunderstorms and potential heavy downpours in some regions.

Masvingo, Manicaland, the southern parts of Midlands and Matabeleland South Provinces are expected to experience cloudy and mild conditions with a chance of rain and drizzle.

On Wednesday, most parts of the country will be partly cloudy and mild in the morning, turning cloudy and warm in the afternoon with scattered thunderstorms and heavy downpours expected in the north.

“Manicaland will remain cloudy and mild, with a chance of morning rain clearing up to warm conditions by afternoon,” said the MSD.

The public is urged to stay safe during the heavy rains and to take necessary precautions, including being cautious on slippery roads and sidewalks, seeking shelter when thunder is present and staying indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble.