Tag Archives: Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS)

Environment

Constant media engagement to improve MET information flow

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has emphasized the need to equip the country’s journalists in order to ably disseminate information about weather and climate change.

DCCMS Deputy Director Charles Vanya told the five-day media training in Liwonde that the orientation will shape information flow.

Vanya disclosed that media will be drilled on understanding and interpretation of weather information among others.

He said the department noted a knowledge gap in weather and climate change reporting which has been affecting the timely delivery of weather focus.

Vanya observes further that the training will shape the media knowledge in terms of interpretation of the weather focus.

On his part, Chairperson for Network for Climate for Journalists (NCJ) Deitrich Frederich said issues of climate change are trending globally due to its effects hence the need to build capacity for the media.

The training has attracted about 30 journalists drawn from media houses across the country.

Environment, Malawi

“Malawi to have normal rainfall, strong El Nino for 2023/2024 growing season”-Met

Dorica Mtenje

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) predicts strong El Nino conditions and normal rainfall for a significant portion of the 2023/2024 rainfall season.

DCCMS Director, Lucy Mtilamtila revealed on Monday, September 26, 2023, in Lilongwe during the National Climate Outlook Forum (NACOF) for the 2023/2024 National Seasonal Rainfall Forecast.

NACOF is a forum for end users of weather in Malawi including the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), Electricity Generation Compan (EGENCO), and Ministries of Water and Agriculture.

“Global climate models are projecting moderate to strong El Nino conditions for a significant portion of the 2023/2024 rainfall season. El Nino is characterized by unusual warming of waters in the Eastern Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean and typically leads to drier conditions over Southern Africa, potentially including southern Malawi,” said the service.

The department has further highlighted that the 2023/2024 rainfall seasonal forecast as produced by climate experts in Malawi foretells that between October to December, it is expected that there will be normal total rainfall amounts over most areas of the country.

However, there is a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall in November, particularly in southern and northern Malawi.

“January to March 2024, Malawians should anticipate normal to below-normal total rainfall amounts over most areas with the possibility of above-normal rainfall in January,” says Mtilatila.

DCCMS has since asked all stakeholders to seek advice from the relevant ministries in order to better apply the forecast in their respective fields.

On his part, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) officer Moses Chimphepo said the department has established preparedness guidelines for disaster risk management.

Mphepo said DODMA has established the loss made by climate change and assured proper preparedness ahead of rainy seasons.

About 676 people died with 538 missed leaving 659,278 homeless over Tropical Cyclone Freddy’s impact in the 2022/2023 rainy season.

Environment, Malawi, Top News

WARNING; Malawi to have flash floods

Maravi Post Reporter

People living in flood-prone areas need to exercise cautions following a warning by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) that there is a high possibility of flash floods.

In its weather forecast for 1 March 2018, DCCMS said most parts of the country should expect heavy rains and thunderstorms.

“[There is a ] high possibility of flash floods in Southern Karonga, Phalombe, Southern Nkhata Bay, Chipembere area in Nsanje and North of Nkhotakota,” reads part of the forecast released on 28 February.

The Department has further warned that strong winds are expected over the northern parts of Chitipa and Rumphi, Southern Karonga and Mzuzu City.

Recent flash floods have led to damaged houses and displacement of families in Karonga, Phalombe and Salima districts.

Environment, Malawi

MET predicts heavy rains from Wednesday to Sunday in south, central regions

Special Absalom

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) says central and southern regions which have been dry in the past few days should expect rains to resume from Wednesday to Sunday.

Director of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Jolamu Nkhokwe, said the dryness was due to the influence of the subsiding air surrounding Tropical Cyclone Ava over Madagascar.

In a statement, Nkhokwe further says the downpour will be as a result of combined effects of Congo air mass and Inter Tropical Convergence Zone ITCZ.

“During the past week, many areas over the northern parts of the country experienced rainfall which was associated with locally heavy downpours due to the combined effects of Congo air and ITCZ enhanced by thermal heating and orographic effects.

“Most of the south and central areas experienced dry conditions due to the influence of the subsiding air surrounding Tropical Cyclone Ava over Madagascar,” reads part of the statement.

The statement adds that from Wednesday, the 10th January to Sunday, 14th January 2018 some areas in central and southern regions are likely to experience rains again with other areas across the country experiencing isolated to scattered thundery showers.

Nkhokwe, however warned that the resuming of rains in central and southern areas is likely to be associated with strong winds, thunder and lightning caused by protracted heating of the atmosphere, which may cause damages to property and life.

“The general public is therefore advised to take precautionary measures such as being in doors whenever thunderstorms occur to avoid being struck by lightning,” warned Nkhokwe in the statement.

Meanwhile, DCCMS has said it is closely monitoring weather development, including tropical cyclone formation in the South West Indian Ocean and in the Mozambique Channel.

“The public is being strongly advised to religiously pay attention to the continuously available daily and weekly weather updates on local media such as television and radios from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services,” advised the DCCMS director.

He said this would ensure seamless use of weather information on all timescales by citizens in order to be kept safe from any weather related threats,” said Nkhokwe.

Environment

Heavy rainfall causes havoc in Lilongwe

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost) – Heavy rainfall on Thursday afternoon has caused tremendous panic to residents and motorists. This is due to the thunderstorm that has caused damage to property and roads in a short period of time.

The development has left many shops, houses their roof brown off by hailstorm which was not Anticipated. Affected areas including Area 14, 15, falls, Chilambula among others where branch of three have been falling on houses and Cars. So, far no casualties have been reported over the incident as the rains still pours in the city.

End of September, this year, Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) forecasted that the country shall experience normal rainfall in the 2017/2018 rainy season.
DCCMS Director, Jolamu Nkhokwe attributed the trend to the season’s forecast to the absence of El Nino and La Nina conditions which are associated with normal total rainfall amounts over a greater part of Malawi.

Nkhokwe said first rains were expected to start in October 2017 through to March 2018, noting that sporadic episodes of extreme weather events such as prolonged dry spells and floods may occur in some areas of the country.

The Director did not indicate which parts of the country were likely to experience dry spells and floods.

Malawi

MET predicts normal rainfall for Malawi 2017/18 rain season

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has forecasted that Malawi might experience normal rainfall in the 2017/2018 rain season.

DCCMS Director, Jolamu Nkhokwe. made the revelation of the rainfall forecast on Friday during the dissemination of 2017/2018 seasonal rainfall pattern.

Nkhokwe attributed the trend to the season’s forecast to the absence of El Nino and La Nina conditions, which are associated with normal total rainfall amounts over a greater part of Malawi.

He said first rains were expected to start in October 2017 and would continue through to March 2018. He noted that sporadic episodes of extreme weather conditions such as prolonged dry spells and floods, may occur in some parts of the country. The Director however, did not indicate which parts of the country were likely to experience dry spells and floods.

“The Department will still be producing daily and weekly weather updates. The public is encouraged to be following the seasonal updates religiously in order to be prepared for any extreme weather events, which may occur,” he advised.

Nkhokwe pointed out that, “It should be noted that this forecast is relevant for relatively large areas and seasonal time scales and therefore may not fully account for all factors that influence localised climate variability, such as daily, weekly, and month to month variations.”

He emphasised that the forecast also takes into consideration the fact that tropical cyclones that develop in the South West Indian Ocean, may have either adverse or favourable effects on Malawi rainfall.

The period from October to April is the official rainfall season in Malawi, with the main rains starting from November in the Southern region and progressively spreading northwards.