Farmers who spoke with Zodiak Online in Nsanje on Wednesday say their crops have withered as a result.

“As farmers we are not safe. The rains have been sporadic here. We planted rice and maize but they are all withering as a result of the dry spell,” lamented Charley Gabriel, a farmer.

Another farmer, Dorothy Matias, also from Nsanje shares the concern.

“The situation is worrisome. Our crops are withering due to erratic rains. We will likely face a serious hunger,” said Dorothy.

Director in the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Jolamu Nkhokwe, told Zodiak Online that this has been the case because the air flows that trigger rains have been skipping Nsanje and Chikwawa districts.

“The rains in Malawi are triggered by what we call Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone which has been active in most parts of the country except Nsanje and Chikwawa districts.

"At the same time, we have also been having Congo air mass. The air flows have been skipping the two districts; hence, the dry spell,” he said.

Nkhokwe was, however, quick to say that things will improve by Thursday.

“This is because the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone will be passing through Nsanje and Chikwawa as well,” he said.