Vusumuzi Dube
The Meteorological Services Department said on Monday Cyclone Chido had lost strength, and would not pose much of a threat to areas it will impact in Zimbabwe.
Earlier, the cyclone had been expected to hit the country with devastating force, raising fears of the possibility of loss of life and widespread destruction of infrastructure and property.
James Ngoma, head of forecasting at the MSD said Cyclone Chipo, now traversing the Tete province in Mozambique, had dissipated into an overland depression. As an overland depression, the cyclone had lost both wind speed and rainfall intensity, making it less likely to cause much damage.
Consequently, Ngoma said, the impact of Cyclone Chido in Zimbabwe would be minimal in terms of damage than in Madagascar, Comoros, Mozambique and Malawi.
“Today, Monday 16 December, the residual moisture from the Overland Depression resulted in cloudy conditions over the north-eastern parts of Zimbabwe, bringing light to moderate rainfall in Manicaland and Mashonaland East as early as 0900hrs.
“From there, the remnants of this residual moisture should combine with moisture from the usual Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, which bring rainfall over Zimbabwe from mid-December, as well as the cloud-band from Botswana.
This should result in moderate rainfall (30-80 mm) over much of the country,” he said. Ngoma said despite the anticipation of heavy rainfall exceeding 50mm in provinces like Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, southern parts of Matabeleland North, Midlands, and Masvingo, the risk of flooding was low.
“However, the heat that was over Zimbabwe for much of last week, should potentially lead to these storms being violent, with lightning, strong winds, and hailstorms in certain areas. “Provinces of particular concern include Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, and the southern parts of Midlands,” he said.
New Ziana
Online Reporter