July temperatures lowest in 10 years – Met dept

TEMPERATURES being experienced in July this year have been the lowest in the last 10 years during the same period, says Zambia Metrological department Acting Director Edson Nkonde.

And University of Zambia (UNZA) Lecturer in Geography and Environmental studies Douty Chibamba has attributed the low temperatures to climate change.

Dr Chibamba told the Daily Nation yesterday that countries in the northern hemisphere were also experiencing some of the highest temperatures in summer and some heat-related deaths were recently reported.

“As you might be aware our friends in the north are also experiencing some of the highest temperatures in summer, in Canada, Russia and other countries after a long time temperatures have risen, while us in the south we are reporting some of the lowest temperatures,” he said.

He said greenhouse gases that cause global warming stay in the atmosphere for over 100 years and the current effects could be related to the industrial revolution.

Dr Chibamba said developed countries which started industrialisation are the cause of the problem currently obtaining.

He said that poor countries were however the most vulnerable as they did not have the money to adapt to climate change.

“Unfortunately climate change will affect everyone despite the problem being caused by developed countries,” Dr Chibamba said.

Meanwhile Mr Nkonde said during the period from July 18 to 25, 2018 the country would continue experiencing the effects of cool and moist airflow from the south east which will lead to cloud development and a drop in day time temperatures.

He said windy conditions would also prevail.