The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has forecasted that a dry spell is likely to persist across Malawi in the coming days due to unstable air masses.

DCCMS Deputy Director Charles Vanya told Zodiak Online that the country is currently relying on the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) as the main rain-bearing system.

“Other systems that normally contribute to rainfall, such as the Congo air mass and tropical cyclones, have not yet fully developed,” Vanya explained.

He noted that the ITCZ, a system of high and low pressures, does not distribute rain evenly across areas.

“The ITCZ brings rain in some areas while leaving others dry,” he said, adding that its weakening last month allowed dry, hot air masses from the northern hemisphere to dominate the country, causing the current dry spell.

Vanya said a system buildup in the south two days ago has enhanced the ITCZ, resulting in rainfall in some parts of the country over the past few days.

He added that, while the rains are not consistent, they are expected to continue for a few days in parts of the south, central region and along the lakeshore.

Meanwhile, agriculture expert Joseph Kanyamuka advises farmers to avoid planting crops until rainfall becomes more stable. For those who have already planted, he recommends soil and water conservation methods, such as box ridges, and supplementary irrigation to prevent crop germination failure.

Malawi received adequate rainfall last month, prompting many farmers to plant. However, the current dry spell has raised concerns about the survival of these crops.