Heavy rains pound Matebeleland North

PARTS of Matebeleland North province have been receiving a heavy downpour of up to 35mm since Monday, resulting in some parts of Bubi and Tsholotsho districts experiencing flash floods.

The southern region of the country, which received poor rains in the last season, welcomed the rains that hit the areas around Ntabazinduna after a long dry spell.

"There has been some miscommunication, they were not floods as such, they were just rains last night and this morning (Tuesday)," a villager said.

Meteorological Services Department Bulawayo provincial chief Chiposi Ngulube yesterday confirmed that Ntabazinduna received heavy rainfall.

"Ntabazinduna received 35mm. But this week in the southern region of the country, we are expecting isolated showers and not much rainfall. This year, we are expecting above normal rainfall," Ngulube said.

"For the first part of our rainy season, that is from October to December, we are expecting above normal rainfall in all places except for Matabeleland North which will receive below normal rainfall."

Last year, some areas of Matabeleland such as Binga were hit by floods despite other areas receiving poor rains.

"For the second part of the rainy season, all areas including Matabeleland South will receive above normal rainfall," Ngulube said.