Dry Spell Hits Lower Shire The area has stayed without rains for a long time now - pic by Christopher Sande Communities in Lower Shire have pleaded with government to provide them with long term measures for survival as most of their crops have wilted due to prolonged dry spells. A farmer, Vintula Julius, from Ndakwera area, Traditional Authority Ndakwera and Chairperson of Chikwawa District Council Chairperson Councilor, Gerald Bede, told Zodiak on Tuesday that government should establish small and medium irrigation facilities as they await the completion of the Shire Valley Transformation Program. "Our area has stayed for a month now without receiving rains. My maize and millet crops have wilted," complained Julius.