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Ongoing rains should have begun last month - TMA
2007-11-13 09:55:53
By Lydia Shekighenda
The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) has said that the rains in different areas in the country are short ones and that they should have begun last month.
Speaking to The Guardian in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the TMA Manager for Central Forecasting Office, Mohamedi Matitu, said the rains were expected last month but failed.
``The ongoing rains represent normal short rain season, the only difference being that they did not start in time as expected,``
He said currently there are convergence of Northeast and Southeast winds which result into current rains.
Matitu explained that the rains which do not start on proper time may be associated with flash floods and thunderstorm.
He said based on the prevailing and forecast weather and climate systems the updated November to December rainy seasons in Lake Victoria basin and Northern Kigoma will receive mostly normal rainfall with pockets of above normal.
Northern coastal areas and the hinterland are expected to receive below normal to normal rainfall while Northeastern highlands will get normal with some areas getting below normal.
``Seasonal rains relate to the areas which have only one rainfall season including western areas which have already started and are expected to be mainly normal and above normal,`` Matitu said.
Other areas include Central, Eastern Tabora and Southern in which the rains are expected in the third and fourth week of November.
``Farmers are advised to use water conservation or harvesting techniques to salvage the remaining part of the season,`` he advised.
Matitu advised farmers over western regions and Southwestern highlands to plant as soon as the rains start, while farmers over central and southern regions are advised to plant quick maturing and drought tolerant crops.
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