News / National
Potential floods to hit the country
09 Dec 2016 at 12:11hrs | Views
The Meteorological Services department has published a press release indicating that Zimbabwe is likely to experience heavy down pour as from Saturday 10 December to December 13 on Tuesday with high possibility of floods.
"The department strongly advises that this is a heightened warning and urges the general public to take serious note that a cloud system currently affecting Botswana and South Africa's forecast to move into Zimbabwe from Friday December 9. 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," reads the notice in part.
The department indicated that on Saturday to Tuesday 13 December widespread heavy rains in the excess of 50ml 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 80mm in 24 hours is highly probable. This is especially more so between Sunday 11 and Tuesday 13 December," reads the notice.
The department said implications of this is that these forecast show that there would sharp downpours, damaging winds, lightening, hail and flash flooding.
"Uprooting of trees and damage to infrastructure cannot be ruled out with this type of rainfall intensity," reads the notice. "The department… is alerting responsible authorities such as Civil Protection Unity , local authorities, and the police rescue teams to be alert.
"The department strongly advises that this is a heightened warning and urges the general public to take serious note that a cloud system currently affecting Botswana and South Africa's forecast to move into Zimbabwe from Friday December 9. 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," reads the notice in part.
The department indicated that on Saturday to Tuesday 13 December widespread heavy rains in the excess of 50ml 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 80mm in 24 hours is highly probable. This is especially more so between Sunday 11 and Tuesday 13 December," reads the notice.
The department said implications of this is that these forecast show that there would sharp downpours, damaging winds, lightening, hail and flash flooding.
"Uprooting of trees and damage to infrastructure cannot be ruled out with this type of rainfall intensity," reads the notice. "The department… is alerting responsible authorities such as Civil Protection Unity , local authorities, and the police rescue teams to be alert.
Source - Byo24News
