Zimbabwe Welcomes Wet Season Amid Hopes and Hazards

By Staff Reporter

After weeks of waiting and a delayed start to the 2025-2026 rainy season, rainfall has finally spread across Zimbabwe. This brings relief and renewed urgency to farmers, urban planners, and disaster response teams.

According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), a thick cloud system moving in from Botswana and moisture from the southeast caused heavy rain across Matabeleland North and South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands, Manicaland, Harare Metropolitan, and all Mashonaland provinces. Several districts recorded over 50mm of rainfall, along with lightning and strong winds.

For Zimbabwe’s mainly farming communities, the rains signal the start of the planting season under the government’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation agriculture program.

Farmers in Mashonaland Central, Masvingo, and parts of Midlands have begun land preparation, with seed distribution happening through local Agritex offices.

The MSD confirmed last week that the country should receive normal to above-normal rainfall between November and January.

“This is a good time for farmers to plant early-maturing varieties and adopt moisture-conserving techniques,” the Department said during a stakeholder briefing in Harare.

However, agricultural experts caution that the season could still bring regional variability, with the possibility of flash floods and dry spells in some areas.

“We urge farmers to follow agro-ecological advisories and avoid planting in flood-prone zones,” said an official from the Zimbabwe Farmers Union.

While the rains bring hope to rural communities, urban areas face a different situation.

Harare, Chitungwiza, and Bulawayo have reported blocked drainage systems, flooded roads, and power outages.

In Mbare and Kuwadzana, residents voiced concerns about stagnant water and overflowing sewer lines.

“Every rainy season, we face the same problem,” said one resident. “We need lasting solutions, not just emergency clean-ups.”

The MSD has warned of possible flash floods, especially in river basins and informal settlements.

Motorists should increase braking distances and watch for fallen trees and debris.

The start of the rains also tests Zimbabwe’s disaster preparedness infrastructure.

The Department of Civil Protection has activated provincial response teams and is working with local authorities to monitor high-risk areas.

Schools and clinics in flood-prone zones have been urged to review evacuation plans and stock up on emergency supplies.

In past seasons, slow responses and poor coordination have worsened the impact of floods, especially in rural districts with limited access to emergency services.

This year, civil society groups are advocating for community-based early warning systems and real-time data sharing between meteorological and local governance structures.

The 2025-2026 season is occurring under a neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which may lead to irregular rainfall patterns.

Climate scientists warn that while the current forecast seems positive, long-term adaptation strategies remain essential.

Zimbabwe’s National Climate Policy stresses building resilience through infrastructure upgrades, climate-smart agriculture, and public awareness.

However, gaps in implementation remain, particularly in under-resourced districts.