Researcher predicts more rain

A researcher at Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Mr Oliver Moses has predicted a lot of rainfall in Botswana due to La Nino, which has affected the Equatorial Pacific region.
Mr Moses, who was presenting his research finding dubbed Current Rains and Ocean Atmosphere Interaction, during a stakeholder meeting in Maun recently, said normal to above normal rain fall was expected between January and March this year
The research’s main aim was to update stakeholders on the current rains and to explain their connection with ocean-atmosphere interactions in relation to Botswana’s climate.
Another aim was to sensitise them about how the warming and cooling of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean influenced Botswana’s climate.
Mr Moses revealed that generally, La Nina was associated with wet conditions, while its counterpart, El Nino was associated with dry conditions in Botswana. He said sometimes trade winds intensified causing an upsurge that is stronger than usual, resulting in temperatures that are colder than normal.
He explained that what happens in the oceans affects the weather in Botswana, adding that currently the country has already received more rainfall which caused havoc in some parts resulting in some buildings, roads and bridges destroyed.
Furthermore, the researcher observed that some major dams in the country are already full.
The gathering was also briefed that in Ngamiland, there was a shift as rainfall started in November while generally rain season starts in October.
 He said the shift was caused by climate change adding that this season, the district experienced more rains in January.
“We have already experienced more rain in January and yet the season is not ending which means by the end of the season, the rains will be significant. This year there is a lot of rain coming,” he added.

The acting director of ORI, Professor Joseph Mbaiwa thanked the researcher for his informative presentation noting that the stakeholders now know what will happen in the next three months in terms of rainfall. BOPA