The Government has deployed two aircraft for a nationwide cloud-seeding operation as part of the ongoing 2025/26 rainy season, which runs from October to March.
The programme, already in progress, is being implemented by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) in collaboration with key partners.
MSD director Rebecca Manzou revealed the development during a question-and-answer session at the National Climate Outlook Forum (NACOF) held in Harare on Tuesday. Manzou said:
“As the country leaves no stone unturned for the upcoming summer cropping season, the Government has two aircraft, one operating in the northern parts of the country and another in the southern parts, that will be doing cloud seeding.
“More players have also expressed interest in joining the initiative this season.”
Cloud seeding is a weather modification method that boosts rainfall by dispersing certain substances into clouds to trigger precipitation.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has predicted normal to above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country, thanks to the La Niña weather pattern, which usually brings wetter conditions to Southern Africa.
Manzou said the outlook was encouraging, with the heaviest rains expected between December and March. She said:
“What it means is an increased chance of normal to above-normal rainfall across the country.
“That covers the period from December to February, and we expect similar conditions from January to March.”
However, she warned that rainfall in November could be below average, with the season only picking up fully by mid-December.
More: The Herald
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