News / National
Weather experts issue flood warning!
29 Dec 2011 at 18:42hrs | Views
WEATHER experts have warned of floods in some parts of the country in the next few days as heavy rains with strong winds and thunderstorms continue pounding the country. On Thursday the Department of Civil Protection placed its workers in various parts of the country on alert to deal with the situation.
DCP acting director Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said there was an increased risk of flash floods and flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
"There is also risk of roofs being blown off and some houses may succumb to excessive moisture and collapse," she said.
Ms Ndlovu warned people to take necessary steps like moving to higher ground in time and avoiding working in fields located across rivers or streams.
"It is critical to listen to warnings and generally observe rainfall activity and avoid venturing out unnecessarily," she said.
"In cases of strong winds, shelter in a house with the most secure roof and close all windows and doors."
Ms Ndlovu said there were district civil committees ready to respond to any occurrences.
She said most big rivers were not yet full, but were expected to burst their banks due to the torrential rains.
Ms Ndlovu particularly warned people living downstream of the Zambezi River to be on the look out for floods.
The Zambezi River Authority said it would open one spillway gate at Kariba Dam on Tuesday to keep the water levels under control.
The opening of the spillway gate would result in floods downstream the Zambezi River.
The Sadc Climate Services Centre forecast the second half of the rainfall season from January to March 2012 to be characterised by normal to above normal rainfall.
Officials at the Meteorological Services Department said that heavy rains are expected starting today.
Areas with a high risk of floods include those in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland North and Manicaland.
Head of public weather services for the Met Department, Mr Tich Zinyemba, said some parts of the country had already received heavy rains and there was a likelihood of flash floods.
"Naturally, there will be heightened risk of flash flooding principally in susceptible places and poorly drained soils," Mr Zinyemba said.
He said the weather forecast indicates that there would be a propensity of violent thunderstorms that would be accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms.
Mr Zinyemba said rainfall in excess of 80 millimetres was expected in the Mashonaland provinces, Harare, Matabeleland North and parts of Manicaland.
"Already, some parts of Harare and Marondera have registered rainfall exceeding 60 millimetres since Tuesday," he said.
"In fact, Ashdown Park in Harare measured 120 millimetres this morning (Tuesday) followed by Belvedere with 93 millimetres and the Harare International Airport with 74 millimetres."
Mr Zinyemba said Marondera recorded 69 millimetres on Monday and Tuesday
He said the Met department would continue to monitor the situation and issue appropriate updates when necessary.
Mr Zinyemba said the rains were expected to eventually weaken by January 3, but would remain active over parts of Matabeleland North and the north-eastern parts of the country.
In Harare, at least 10 houses were flooded on Tuesday evening and property worth US$50 000 was destroyed in Lochinvar.
The floods were attributed to poor drainage.
One of the victims, Mbuya Lucia Muchavhaira (68) said she woke up around 10pm to discover her house was flooded.
"I woke up together with my 10 grandchildren looking for a safe spot to hide as we feared drowning in the floods," she said.
"I opened a hole in the ceiling to hide as there was nowhere in the house to hide and there was water everywhere outside."
Mbuya Muchavhaira lost two refrigerators, two stoves, sofas, a plasma television and four beds.
She said the money she had saved for her grandchildren's school fees was going to be diverted to buy food.
Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said they were not aware that some areas were being flooded.
"We can only know if the rains come because we will be able to identify the spots which need attendance," he said.
"We will fix the problem in Lochnivar and other areas because if we have an area that causes problems we send our teams on the ground to fix it."
Mr Gwindi said the drainage system in the city was aged and was bound to give problems.
Heavy rains pounded Harare on Tuesday evening, making some roads in the city centre impassable because of pools of water caused by a poor drainage system.
Zimbabwe's perennial flood areas include Muzarabani, Chikwarakwara, Tsholotsho, the Zambezi basin and the Save river system.
At least 600 families were left homeless in Muzarabani after floods washed away buildings and crops as well as disrupting power supplies in 2009.
A violent storm, which pounded the area also swept away livestock including goats, pigs and sheep, poultry, clothes, blankets, furniture and other household goods.
In February 2000, the country was hit by Cyclone Eline, a devastating tropical storm that affected the eastcoast of Africa.
Hundreds of people in rural communities were displaced as the cylone left a trail of destruction on basic infrastructure.
In March 2003, floods induced by tropical Cyclone Japhet ravaged low-lying areas of south-central and eastern Zimbabwe.
Zaka, Chivi, Mwenezi and Bikita were also severely affected.
DCP acting director Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said there was an increased risk of flash floods and flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
"There is also risk of roofs being blown off and some houses may succumb to excessive moisture and collapse," she said.
Ms Ndlovu warned people to take necessary steps like moving to higher ground in time and avoiding working in fields located across rivers or streams.
"It is critical to listen to warnings and generally observe rainfall activity and avoid venturing out unnecessarily," she said.
"In cases of strong winds, shelter in a house with the most secure roof and close all windows and doors."
Ms Ndlovu said there were district civil committees ready to respond to any occurrences.
She said most big rivers were not yet full, but were expected to burst their banks due to the torrential rains.
Ms Ndlovu particularly warned people living downstream of the Zambezi River to be on the look out for floods.
The Zambezi River Authority said it would open one spillway gate at Kariba Dam on Tuesday to keep the water levels under control.
The opening of the spillway gate would result in floods downstream the Zambezi River.
The Sadc Climate Services Centre forecast the second half of the rainfall season from January to March 2012 to be characterised by normal to above normal rainfall.
Officials at the Meteorological Services Department said that heavy rains are expected starting today.
Areas with a high risk of floods include those in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland North and Manicaland.
Head of public weather services for the Met Department, Mr Tich Zinyemba, said some parts of the country had already received heavy rains and there was a likelihood of flash floods.
"Naturally, there will be heightened risk of flash flooding principally in susceptible places and poorly drained soils," Mr Zinyemba said.
He said the weather forecast indicates that there would be a propensity of violent thunderstorms that would be accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms.
Mr Zinyemba said rainfall in excess of 80 millimetres was expected in the Mashonaland provinces, Harare, Matabeleland North and parts of Manicaland.
"Already, some parts of Harare and Marondera have registered rainfall exceeding 60 millimetres since Tuesday," he said.
"In fact, Ashdown Park in Harare measured 120 millimetres this morning (Tuesday) followed by Belvedere with 93 millimetres and the Harare International Airport with 74 millimetres."
Mr Zinyemba said Marondera recorded 69 millimetres on Monday and Tuesday
Mr Zinyemba said the rains were expected to eventually weaken by January 3, but would remain active over parts of Matabeleland North and the north-eastern parts of the country.
In Harare, at least 10 houses were flooded on Tuesday evening and property worth US$50 000 was destroyed in Lochinvar.
The floods were attributed to poor drainage.
One of the victims, Mbuya Lucia Muchavhaira (68) said she woke up around 10pm to discover her house was flooded.
"I woke up together with my 10 grandchildren looking for a safe spot to hide as we feared drowning in the floods," she said.
"I opened a hole in the ceiling to hide as there was nowhere in the house to hide and there was water everywhere outside."
Mbuya Muchavhaira lost two refrigerators, two stoves, sofas, a plasma television and four beds.
She said the money she had saved for her grandchildren's school fees was going to be diverted to buy food.
Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said they were not aware that some areas were being flooded.
"We can only know if the rains come because we will be able to identify the spots which need attendance," he said.
"We will fix the problem in Lochnivar and other areas because if we have an area that causes problems we send our teams on the ground to fix it."
Mr Gwindi said the drainage system in the city was aged and was bound to give problems.
Heavy rains pounded Harare on Tuesday evening, making some roads in the city centre impassable because of pools of water caused by a poor drainage system.
Zimbabwe's perennial flood areas include Muzarabani, Chikwarakwara, Tsholotsho, the Zambezi basin and the Save river system.
At least 600 families were left homeless in Muzarabani after floods washed away buildings and crops as well as disrupting power supplies in 2009.
A violent storm, which pounded the area also swept away livestock including goats, pigs and sheep, poultry, clothes, blankets, furniture and other household goods.
In February 2000, the country was hit by Cyclone Eline, a devastating tropical storm that affected the eastcoast of Africa.
Hundreds of people in rural communities were displaced as the cylone left a trail of destruction on basic infrastructure.
In March 2003, floods induced by tropical Cyclone Japhet ravaged low-lying areas of south-central and eastern Zimbabwe.
Zaka, Chivi, Mwenezi and Bikita were also severely affected.
Source - TH
