Heavy rains expected to pound the country, says MS...

Heavy rains expected to pound the country, says MSD

Zim Now Writer

The Department of Civil Protection has warned of hazards posed by the heavy rains that are expected to pound the country up to Sunday.

The DCP warned the public against crossing flooded rivers, noting that some parts of the country recorded heavy rains in the past few days, resulting in the ground being saturated.

The Meteorological Services Department, in its daily weather update has also warned that the heavy rains could result in localised flooding in places with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works saying it has activated disaster response mechanisms across the country.

“The Department of Civil Protection is urging citizens to be on high alert of forecasted torrential rains from Friday 6 through Sunday January 8, 2023 across the country,” it said.

“We also call on all relevant stakeholders and traditional leaders to find ways to disseminate the information to their various communities in particular all Mashonaland, Manicaland, parts of the Midlands and Masvingo provinces where heavy rains in excess of 65mm are expected in 24-hours,” reads the statement.

The ministry urged the public to follow the weather updates in order to be informed of ongoing weather events.

“Citizens should be on the watch for possible flooding, avoid crossing flooded rivers/streams and stay indoors during the period as the heavy rains may reduce visibility for motorists. District Civil Protection Committees countrywide have been mobilised,” it said.

The MSD also said heavy rains were recorded in Bulawayo, which recorded 93mm of rainfall within 24 hours, followed by Rusape (42mm), Kwekwe (32mm) and Marondera (28mm).

“More insolation is occurring even in the northern areas as clouds are breaking; coupled with this, more moisture is approaching in the form of a cloud band from the west (in Botswana currently),” said MSD.

Areas such as Matabeleland South, Masvingo, southern areas of Midlands, southern parts of Midlands, the MSD said, should be sunny and mild at first, becoming hot and humid by midday, adding that Matabeleland North, among other parts of the country, is expected to receive heavy rains today.

“Isolated thunderstorms and brief cloudy periods are expected to spread from the west into all these areas. Matabeleland North, Bulawayo Metropolitan, northern districts of Midlands, Harare Metropolitan, northern parts of Manicaland, and all Mashonaland Provinces are anticipated to be mostly cloudy with light morning rain and afternoon thundershowers.

“Heavy rains remain probable,” said MSD, further warning of increased risk of lightning strikes that could affect both humans and livestock as well as infrastructure.