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Heavy rains, flash floods expected in Matebeleland
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The Matebeleland region is bracing for flash floods as heavy rains are set to hit the country from today until Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD).
The MSD issued a weather advisory yesterday, warning that other provinces, including Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo, will also be affected by the intense weather patterns. The rains, expected to be accompanied by hailstorms, strong winds, and cold conditions, are due to a low-pressure system intensifying from the Mozambican Channel towards the Mozambique coast.
"This system is expected to continue moving westward across the eastern and southern parts of Zimbabwe. Thunderstorms and rain are anticipated over Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo on Saturday, 8th February 2025, and over Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Matebeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, and the Midlands provinces from Sunday, 9th February 2025, until Tuesday, 11th February 2025," the MSD statement reads.
The department also cautioned that due to the intensity of the rainfall, flash floods are highly likely. Hailstorms, accompanied by strong winds and colder temperatures, are expected to exacerbate the situation.
As a result of these anticipated weather conditions, the MSD has urged the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to take necessary precautions during thunderstorms.
For farmers, the rainfall will come as a welcome relief after a prolonged dry spell over the past two weeks. Crops and livestock in most areas are doing well, and many communal dams are already full, indicating healthy agricultural prospects.
However, the heavy rains pose a challenge for Bulawayo, which still requires significant rainfall to fill its supply dams, many of which remain less than 50% full. In response to the limited water resources, the local authority has implemented a 130-hour weekly water-shedding programme.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a La Niña weather season, which is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall, though the ongoing water challenges in certain urban areas remain a concern. The MSD's warnings highlight the need for vigilance as the country prepares for the intense weather patterns over the coming days.
The MSD issued a weather advisory yesterday, warning that other provinces, including Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo, will also be affected by the intense weather patterns. The rains, expected to be accompanied by hailstorms, strong winds, and cold conditions, are due to a low-pressure system intensifying from the Mozambican Channel towards the Mozambique coast.
"This system is expected to continue moving westward across the eastern and southern parts of Zimbabwe. Thunderstorms and rain are anticipated over Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo on Saturday, 8th February 2025, and over Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Matebeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, and the Midlands provinces from Sunday, 9th February 2025, until Tuesday, 11th February 2025," the MSD statement reads.
The department also cautioned that due to the intensity of the rainfall, flash floods are highly likely. Hailstorms, accompanied by strong winds and colder temperatures, are expected to exacerbate the situation.
As a result of these anticipated weather conditions, the MSD has urged the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to take necessary precautions during thunderstorms.
For farmers, the rainfall will come as a welcome relief after a prolonged dry spell over the past two weeks. Crops and livestock in most areas are doing well, and many communal dams are already full, indicating healthy agricultural prospects.
However, the heavy rains pose a challenge for Bulawayo, which still requires significant rainfall to fill its supply dams, many of which remain less than 50% full. In response to the limited water resources, the local authority has implemented a 130-hour weekly water-shedding programme.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a La Niña weather season, which is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall, though the ongoing water challenges in certain urban areas remain a concern. The MSD's warnings highlight the need for vigilance as the country prepares for the intense weather patterns over the coming days.
Source - the chronicle
