News / National
Zimbabwe set to experience the worst El nino in 18 years
18 Nov 2015 at 16:03hrs | Views
Zimbabweans should brace themselves for the tough times ahead as the country is set to experience the worst El nino in 18 years.
The Meteorological Services Department said extreme weather conditions such as drought, soaring temperatures, strong winds, flash flooding over a short period and hail storms are likely to be experienced due to effects of El nino.
El nino, a phenomenon caused by Pacific Ocean warming is wrecking havoc across the East and Southern African region.
Zimbabwe is likely to plunge into food shortages in the coming year as there is a 90 percent probability of below normal rains and extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat, strong winds, flash floods and hail storms.
Principal Meteorological Officer, Mr John Mupuro said the El nino currently being experienced is severe and the worst in 18 years.
"The last time such an El nino was experienced was in 1997 and this is severe and not only affecting Zimbabwe but the rest of Africa and other parts of the world," he said.
In Kenya, the government estimates that 2,5 million children may be affected by floods, landslides, mudslides and diseases linked to the El nino while in Southern Africa, Botswana, Malawi and South Africa have been hit by a drought.
Recently, South Africa was hit by hail storms as big as golf balls and the trend is likely to continue throughout the rainfall season.
The Meteorological Services Department said extreme weather conditions such as drought, soaring temperatures, strong winds, flash flooding over a short period and hail storms are likely to be experienced due to effects of El nino.
El nino, a phenomenon caused by Pacific Ocean warming is wrecking havoc across the East and Southern African region.
Zimbabwe is likely to plunge into food shortages in the coming year as there is a 90 percent probability of below normal rains and extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat, strong winds, flash floods and hail storms.
Principal Meteorological Officer, Mr John Mupuro said the El nino currently being experienced is severe and the worst in 18 years.
"The last time such an El nino was experienced was in 1997 and this is severe and not only affecting Zimbabwe but the rest of Africa and other parts of the world," he said.
In Kenya, the government estimates that 2,5 million children may be affected by floods, landslides, mudslides and diseases linked to the El nino while in Southern Africa, Botswana, Malawi and South Africa have been hit by a drought.
Recently, South Africa was hit by hail storms as big as golf balls and the trend is likely to continue throughout the rainfall season.
Source - Byo24News
