More rainfall expected to hit Zimbabwe

More rainfall is expected to hit Zimbabwe starting mid-January, though it will not be torrential like the rains that led to the recent floods in some parts of the country, the Meteorological Services Department has said.

Met Department principal meteorological officer, Mr John Mupuro said the deep tropical low which caused heavy rains has since moved out of the country.

He said: "A deep tropical low which caused torrential rains in the country in the past week has moved out of Zimbabwe to be quasi-stationary just outside on the borders of Mozambique and Zambia.

"This should keep feeding moisture into the extreme northern parts of Mashonaland provinces, thereby causing sporadic light rain showers, especially in Mashonaland Central.

"The rainfall amounts expected should not be very high as compared to what happened last week."

Mr Mupuro allayed fears of floods in the second half of the rain season, which commences mid-January and added that most parts of Zimbabwe should be cloudy with light rain showers.

He advised farmers to grow short season varieties and small grains.

The public should also stop drinking water from stagnant ponds to avoid waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.

The rain season — which began in November 2014 - is expected to end by April.