Sadc countries should brace for a possibility of floods and cyclones during the 2021/2022 wet season, due to the normal-to-above-normal rainfalls expected in the region.

The Sadc secretariat convened a virtual meeting of the Technical Committee of Directors of Crop Production last week and called member states to enhance surveillance and monitoring.

“The committee noted that in view of the prediction of good rains in most parts of the region by the Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) in August 2021,” it said in a statement.

“Members states should prepare for a possibility of flooding and cyclones.

“Furthermore, the predicated weather forecast also provides a conducive environment for breeding locusts and other trans-boundary pests and disease, calling for enhanced surveillance and monitoring.”