Accra, May 13, GNA - The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) on Thursday told the Ghana News Agency that this year's rainy season had begun and advised farmers to start planting their crops. Mr Ayilari-Naa Juapi, Principal Meteorologist in Charge of the Airport Office, said: "The rains have started and farmers can begin their planting."

He said there would be a slight shortfall in the rainfall pattern across the Coastal Stretch, while in the Forest Belt and the three Northern Regions the rainfall pattern was expected to be above average. He attributed this to global sea-saw pressure change whose value is negative.

Mr Juapi said because of this trend the three Northern Regions, which fell within the catchment area of the Akosombo Dam, would receive enough water that would flow into the Dam during August and September, when rainfall in those regions hit their peak.

"We expect the Volta River Authority (VRA) to be smiling during the season because the Dam's catchment area, will have enough water to keep the Dam running to give us the needed power."

Mr Juapi noted that this year's rain had been delayed especially in the Coastal Areas due to the fact that the pressure system, which normally sustained the convergence zone, which brought the rain to the South, had been far-off in the North.

He advised officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to monitor the water level of the dams and lake, so as not to be taken unawares when the levels rose.

He urged city planners and managers to ensure that drainage systems were in order adding: "In Accra, the problem is not with the amount of rain, but the inadequate drainage systems to carry the flood water."