THE Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has issued its seasonal outlook for the main rainfall season, covering March to May, warning of above-normal rains in eight regions which could have significant impacts on weather sensitive sectors.

Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, the TMA director general, said at a press conference yesterday that potential impacts are likely to be felt in agriculture, livestock rearing, fisheries, water and power generation, alongside transport, health, tourism and construction, thus testing disaster preparedness.

Rainfall patterns are expected to vary across the country’s bimodal regions which receive significant rainfall over two periods in the year, including the Lake Victoria basin, northeastern highlands, northern coast, and northern Kigoma, asking communities and sectoral stakeholders to initiate readiness in that regard.

The northern coast, western Lake Victoria basin (Kagera and Geita regions plus northern Kigoma are likely to receive normal to above-normal rains. while in contrast, the northern highlands (Arusha, Manyara, Kilimanjaro regions) and parts of the Lake Victoria basin (Mwanza, Shinyanga, Mara, Simiyu regions) are expected to experience normal to below-normal rainfall, he said.

The major rainfall season of the first half of the year starts late February to early March over the lake zone, early March along the northern coast and mid-March in the northeast, ending late May to early June with enhanced rainfall in April, the director explained.

TMA cautioned on flooding and waterlogging in areas likely to experience above-normal rainfall, affecting crop growth via nutrient leaching.

Conversely, below-normal rainfall could result in water shortages, reduced pasture and moisture stress for crops and livestock, he said.

Communities are also advised to anticipate vector-borne disease outbreaks and pests as water contamination in areas experiencing heavy rains, he said.

"Farmers need to prepare fields, manage soil moisture, conserve water and monitor pest and disease risks. Rainwater harvesting is encouraged to support irrigation in drier areas," the statement affirmed.

Proper water and feed management is critical for sedentary and migratory pastoralists, with fishers also advised to monitor forecasts closely.

For the tourism and wildlife sector, planning is necessary to avoid human-wildlife conflicts and manage disease risks in national parks and game reserves.

Above-normal rainfall may disrupt activities while below-normal conditions could aid project planning and operations, he said, pointing at flooding and drought as affecting reservoirs, river flows and water treatment systems Sustainable water use is advised, he said.

Preventive measures against water- and vector-borne diseases are crucial, especially in flood-prone or contaminated areas, demanding strengthened drainage systems, disaster preparedness and community awareness, he added.