Heavy rains expected this week

11 Dec, 2016 - 00:12 0 Views
Heavy rains expected this week

The Sunday Mail

Livingstone Marufu —
Most parts of Zimbabwe are expected to receive heavy rains from today, with certain areas experiencing strong winds and flash-floods, the Metereological Services Department has said.

The department told The Sunday Mail that this pattern could extend to Tuesday, and urged the public to exercise extreme caution and rescue services to be alert.

“The whole country is expected to receive at least 50 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. However, much of the Midlands is expected to receive more than 90 mm, hence the possibility of flash-floods and water-logging.

“The department strongly advises that this is a heightened warning, and urges the general public to take serious note of this. Widespread heavy rains (in excess of 50 mm in 24 hours) are forecast for throughout the country.

“In the high ground areas along the central and northern watershed as well as the Eastern Highlands, rainfall in excess of 80 mm in 24 hours is highly probable. This is especially moreso between Sunday 11 and Tuesday 13 December.”

The department continued: “A cloud system currently affecting Botswana and South Africa (was) forecast to move into Zimbabwe from (last Friday). At the same time, a low pressure system in the middle levels of the atmosphere should also enter the country from Zambia.

“This combination is conducive for increasing and squeezing the moisture in the country, hence increased precipitation. Indications are that these rains may result in sharp downpours, damaging winds, lightning, hail and flash-flooding. Uprooting of trees and damage to infrastructure cannot be ruled out with this type of rainfall intensity.

“The department is alerting responsible authorities such as the Department of Civil Protection, local authorities, the police, rescue services, including religious organisations and power utilities to be on alert for the duration of this period.”

Regarding the seasonal outlook, the department predicted that Region 1, which includes Harare, much of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, north-eastern parts of the Midlands and parts of Manicaland, will receive normal-to-below-normal rainfall.

Region 2, which includes the bulk of Matabeleland North, parts of the Midlands and Mashonaland West, is expected to receive normal-to-below-normal rainfall.

Region 3, covering areas like Masvingo, the bulk of the Midlands, the southern parts of Manicaland and the bulk of Matabeleland South, will likely receive normal-to-above-normal rainfall.

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