Zim Now Writer
Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which was expected to hit Zimbabwe by last night, has delayed landfall by about 12 hours, according to the Meteorological Services Department.
On Thursday afternoon, the MSD had announced that the extreme weather condition would reach Mozambique by 3am on Friday.
However, in an 8am update today, the Met Department said the cyclone has delayed landfall by 12 hours and has been downgraded to Severe Tropical Storm Freddy.
“The former Tropical Cyclone Freddy is currently in the Severe Tropical Storm stage with wind speed of rotation of approximately 110km/hr. It has slightly delayed landfall by 12 hours.
“This delay will result in the further clearing of the atmosphere over Southern Africa and strengthening Freddy’s rotational winds to 120km/hr (65 knots) by the time it makes landfall over southern Mozambique (near Inhambane) later this afternoon.
“In this current position, Severe Tropical Storm Freddy creates a calm before the storm.
“However, in a few hours, Freddy’s spinning cloud bands (spanning more than a +500km radius) should cause strong winds, reduced to less than 40 knots (typical strong winds are usually 20 knots), increased cloudiness and localised heavy rains (above 65mm) from Saturday 25 till Tuesday 28 February 2023 in districts such as Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Beitbridge, Chivi, Masvingo rural, Zaka, Bikita, Gutu and Buhera,” said the MSD in a statement.
The Met Department said these areas are among some parts of Zimbabwe which have received the least cumulative seasonal rainfall to date.
The Tropical Storm, according to MSD, was expected to affect the south of Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces as from last night.
The MSD has warned the public to watch out for blown-off rooftops, and fallen trees due to strong winds, very heavy localised rainfall (above 65mm) from Saturday.
It also warned of flash flooding in areas with saturated soils, wetlands, impervious grounds and along river banks.
Ms. Tsitsi Linda Mutemaringa, ENAZ DirectorZim Now WriterThe Entrepreneurs Network Association of Zimbabwe is set to host a groundbreaking symposium on April 11, 2025, in Harare, uniting key stakeho..
ZimbabweRutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now ReporterA 38-year-old man, Tauya Maguwu, has been arrested in connection with a string of unlawful entry and theft cases that occurred in and around Bulawayo between Januar..
ZimbabweConstable MuradzikwaZim Now WriterA Hillside Police Station officer has confessed to shooting his colleague, Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, during a robbery operation in Pumula South earlier th..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments