DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) yesterday issued five-day severe impact-based weather forecast, warning of another round of heavy rains in some regions.
The rains starting from yesterday would ponder the regions of Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Morogoro, Coast (including Mafia Island) as well as Pemba and Unguja Isles. Few areas of Lindi and Mtwara would also likely experience such rains.
In its advisory posted on its online platforms, the authority predicted that the heavy rains may cause high impact in those regions.
It is expected that strong winds and large waves would occur in some areas along the Coast of the Indian Ocean (Tanga, Dar es Salaam and Coast (Including Mafia Island), Lindi and Mtwara together with Unguja and Pemba Isles.
Stating with expected impact, the statement says: “Widespread flooding affecting the whole communities and disruption of some economic and marine activities, hence take actions.”
Also read: TMA: Brace for heavy rains
In last February, the TMA issued the seasonal climate outlook for March-May 2024 whereby authority’s Acting Director General, Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, had stated that the rains, expected to start from the third and fourth week of February until May will be normal to above normal.
The ongoing rainfall will be impacting the bimodal regions of Dar es Salaam, Coast, Tanga, Morogoro, Unguja, Pemba, as well as the Lake Zone regions of Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Kagera, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Kigoma.
Dr Chang’a mentioned that periods of excessive soil moisture may affect crop and agricultural activities, leading to an increase in diseases such as fungus affecting crops like tomatoes, sesame, beans, and root crops.
Therefore, the authority had advised farmers to prepare their fields, plant, implement weeding and use relevant farm inputs timely.
They were further advised to use the best methods and technologies to prevent water stagnation in the field, erosion, and loss of soil fertility.
Farmers should also choose the right seeds and crops for this long rainy (Masika) season.
