News / National
Met Department warns of violent thunderstorms
04 Nov 2013 at 19:41hrs | Views
THE Meteorological Services Department has warned of violent thunderstorms this week and only last week heavy rains left a trail of destruction in Matabeleland North and South provinces.
The storm destroyed homes and schools in the two provinces. In Insiza District in Matabeleland South a heavy storm destroyed six schools and houses while a number of pupils were reportedly injured between Wednesday and Saturday.
Six cattle were reportedly killed by lightning in Mbaulo area while scores of homesteads and shops in the district, especially at Mahole, were also damaged.
A number of pupils were injured at Denje Primary School and Nkankezi.
Other affected schools are Mkwabene, Avoca, Mbokodo, Msithi and Tshazi Primary schools all in Insiza South. Denje headmistress Mrs Florah Edina Tshuma said teachers and pupils had to scurry for cover while three pupils sustained minor injuries when the storm, which lasted less than 10 minutes, destroyed classroom blocks, teachers' cottages, the school hall and a local church.
On Sunday, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Cde Andrew Langa, led a delegation around the district to assess the extent of damage.
The delegation included Insiza South Member of Parliament Cde Malach Nkomo and members of the Insiza District Civil Protection Unit.
"We appeal to Government, non-governmental organisations and communities to assist us. This issue is not on our agenda in Cabinet on Tuesday (today) but I will brief other ministers about the disaster," said Cde Langa.
He said there was a need to replace ageing infrastructure in schools and urged all stakeholders to assist.
Chronicle visited some of the schools on Sunday and noticed that two blocks each were destroyed at Tshazi and Msithi just outside Filabusi centre while at Denje some buildings were reduced to a rubble.
The chairman of Msithi School Development Association, Mr Constant Langa, appealed for help saying pupils were now exposed to danger.
Insiza District education inspector Mrs Jester Gumpo said the incident was likely to traumatise the pupils. In Matobo District, the storm blew off the roofs of two classroom blocks at Sontala Secondary School and also destroyed about 20 homesteads. Two goats were struck by lightning on Friday.
"About 20 homesteads were destroyed by the storm and several trees were uprooted. Two goats died in the process and villagers were left scurrying for cover. At my homestead, the roof of one of my houses was blown off and the asbestos sheets were reduced to pieces," said one of the affected villagers, Mr Jonathan Bango.
"Most of the affected villagers have sought accommodation from neighbours because they have nowhere to stay. I hope this will not happen again because such a storm can kill people."
The villagers appealed to the Government and well wishers to assist them with building material and money to repair their homesteads.
In Bubi District's Ward 21 in Matabeleland North province 18 families were left stranded while property worth thousands of dollars was damaged when strong winds blew off corrugated zinc sheets from their houses.
Bubi Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Patson Mlilo confirmed the incident and said officials from the local authority were sent to assess the situation while the area MP Cde Clifford Sibanda also said he has been informed of the issue.
Meanwhile, in a statement on the weather outlook for the week, Meteorological Services Department senior officer Mr Jonathan Chifuna said the country should brace for violent storms as the rainy season begins and urged members of the public to take precautionary measures.
He said thunderstorms characterised by lightning and strong winds were expected to cover the whole country up to Friday this week.
"Widespread patchy rains and thunderstorm activity should be expected across the country up to the end of the forecast period. Rains of up to 30mm should be realised in some areas especially Matabeleland South," said Mr Chifuna.
"Please note that temperatures have been very high of late. Accordingly, thunderstorms at this time of the year are usually very violent in terms of lightning, strong winds and hail.
"Thus, electricity outages due to lightning strikes should not be ruled out. In addition, we advise in the event of lightning that people avoid open spaces and high places as much as possible. People should not underestimate the power of water during flash floods."
Mr Chifuna said members of the public should avoid walking on waterlogged areas and taking shelter under trees.
He also said trees over electricity power lines and poles should be cut and motorists should avoid parking cars under big trees.
Mr Chifuna advised farmers to work hand in hand with Agritex officers in planning their activities so that they succeed in their operations.
He said of late the rainy season has been erratic from year to year mainly due to climatic changes.
"It is, therefore, important for farmers and other decision makers to take note of the seasonal weather outlooks as well as regular weekly updates from the Meteorological Services Department for them to mainstream into their planning and decision making," said Mr Chifuna.
The storm destroyed homes and schools in the two provinces. In Insiza District in Matabeleland South a heavy storm destroyed six schools and houses while a number of pupils were reportedly injured between Wednesday and Saturday.
Six cattle were reportedly killed by lightning in Mbaulo area while scores of homesteads and shops in the district, especially at Mahole, were also damaged.
A number of pupils were injured at Denje Primary School and Nkankezi.
Other affected schools are Mkwabene, Avoca, Mbokodo, Msithi and Tshazi Primary schools all in Insiza South. Denje headmistress Mrs Florah Edina Tshuma said teachers and pupils had to scurry for cover while three pupils sustained minor injuries when the storm, which lasted less than 10 minutes, destroyed classroom blocks, teachers' cottages, the school hall and a local church.
On Sunday, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Cde Andrew Langa, led a delegation around the district to assess the extent of damage.
The delegation included Insiza South Member of Parliament Cde Malach Nkomo and members of the Insiza District Civil Protection Unit.
"We appeal to Government, non-governmental organisations and communities to assist us. This issue is not on our agenda in Cabinet on Tuesday (today) but I will brief other ministers about the disaster," said Cde Langa.
He said there was a need to replace ageing infrastructure in schools and urged all stakeholders to assist.
Chronicle visited some of the schools on Sunday and noticed that two blocks each were destroyed at Tshazi and Msithi just outside Filabusi centre while at Denje some buildings were reduced to a rubble.
The chairman of Msithi School Development Association, Mr Constant Langa, appealed for help saying pupils were now exposed to danger.
Insiza District education inspector Mrs Jester Gumpo said the incident was likely to traumatise the pupils. In Matobo District, the storm blew off the roofs of two classroom blocks at Sontala Secondary School and also destroyed about 20 homesteads. Two goats were struck by lightning on Friday.
"About 20 homesteads were destroyed by the storm and several trees were uprooted. Two goats died in the process and villagers were left scurrying for cover. At my homestead, the roof of one of my houses was blown off and the asbestos sheets were reduced to pieces," said one of the affected villagers, Mr Jonathan Bango.
"Most of the affected villagers have sought accommodation from neighbours because they have nowhere to stay. I hope this will not happen again because such a storm can kill people."
The villagers appealed to the Government and well wishers to assist them with building material and money to repair their homesteads.
In Bubi District's Ward 21 in Matabeleland North province 18 families were left stranded while property worth thousands of dollars was damaged when strong winds blew off corrugated zinc sheets from their houses.
Bubi Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Patson Mlilo confirmed the incident and said officials from the local authority were sent to assess the situation while the area MP Cde Clifford Sibanda also said he has been informed of the issue.
Meanwhile, in a statement on the weather outlook for the week, Meteorological Services Department senior officer Mr Jonathan Chifuna said the country should brace for violent storms as the rainy season begins and urged members of the public to take precautionary measures.
He said thunderstorms characterised by lightning and strong winds were expected to cover the whole country up to Friday this week.
"Widespread patchy rains and thunderstorm activity should be expected across the country up to the end of the forecast period. Rains of up to 30mm should be realised in some areas especially Matabeleland South," said Mr Chifuna.
"Please note that temperatures have been very high of late. Accordingly, thunderstorms at this time of the year are usually very violent in terms of lightning, strong winds and hail.
"Thus, electricity outages due to lightning strikes should not be ruled out. In addition, we advise in the event of lightning that people avoid open spaces and high places as much as possible. People should not underestimate the power of water during flash floods."
Mr Chifuna said members of the public should avoid walking on waterlogged areas and taking shelter under trees.
He also said trees over electricity power lines and poles should be cut and motorists should avoid parking cars under big trees.
Mr Chifuna advised farmers to work hand in hand with Agritex officers in planning their activities so that they succeed in their operations.
He said of late the rainy season has been erratic from year to year mainly due to climatic changes.
"It is, therefore, important for farmers and other decision makers to take note of the seasonal weather outlooks as well as regular weekly updates from the Meteorological Services Department for them to mainstream into their planning and decision making," said Mr Chifuna.
Source - Herald
