Met department warns of floods and hailstorms

The Meteorological Services Department has warned of floods and hailstorms this week as heavy rains are expected in most parts of the country. In a statement yesterday, the Department said the rains were expected to begin this weekend.

It said the rainfall was a result of a cloud system moving eastwards from Botswana, adding that members of the public should be wary of trees that could be uprooted.

"This advisory is issued at a time when a very active cloud system that is currently over Botswana will have steadily moved eastwards to start affecting the western areas of the country by Saturday 24th of November," reads part of the statement.

"This cloud band will cover the country by Sunday the 25th and the wet spell is expected to last until Wednesday.

"This cloud band will be accompanied by strong violent winds with heavy falls in excess of 60mm in 24 hours, sometimes accompanied by hail. The wet spell is expected to last until the 28th of November.

"Uprooting of trees, flash flooding and destruction of infrastructure cannot be ruled out with this type of rainfall intensity."

The Department urged members of the public to desist from crossing flooded bridges.

"The Meteorological Services Department recommends the following during this period: Vehicles, whether private/public, should not attempt to cross flooded low-lying bridges and people should not attempt to cross streams/rivers which are flooded.

"People should quickly move to higher ground if they notice that their area is becoming flooded and they should not take shelter under trees during a thunderstorm to avoid being electrocuted."