Floods to hit low-lying areas

The heavy rains are expected to continue up to 25 January. The Meteorological Services Department duty forecaster, Mr Tich Zinyemba, said the rains come after a prolonged mid-season break that was experienced across the country from the beginning of this month.
“This comes after the mid-summer break that the country experienced from 3 to 10 January this year. For the period 13 to 25 January, the forecast indicates an increase of heavy rains throughout, reaching the peak between 19 and 25 January. It is likely that amounts exceeding 80mm in 24 hours will be recorded in some areas,” said Mr Zinyemba.
The rains came as a relief to farmers in Hwange, Mberengwa and many parts of Matabeleland South, whose crops were beginning to suffer from moisture stress due to the mid-season dry spell.
Mr Zinyemba said the heavy rains and thunderstorm activity would affect most parts of the country.
“Already, satellite images are showing that all Mashonaland provinces, Harare, Matabeleland and Midlands are being affected by widespread thunderstorm activities.
“Accordingly there would be heightened risk of violent thunderstorm and flash flooding, principally in susceptible places and poorly drained soils,” said Mr Zinyemba.
He urged Zesa and TelOne as well as members of the public to take precautionary measures to avoid possible loss of lives and property.
“Electricity and telephone companies must ensure that trees within the vicinity of their lines are cleared as there is danger of lightning.
“Motorists should refrain from parking under big and old trees.
“All outdoor activities should be planned with the weather in mind. Best times are between 9.30am and 4pm. Outside these times, there is increased risk of disruption or even forced abandonment,” said Mr Zinyemba.
He urged parents to make sure that school children have raincoats during this period.
“School children should have raincoats. As for fertiliser and pesticide applications, I would like to encourage people to contact local agricultural experts as there is an increased probability of water logging,” he said.
Mr Zinyemba advised people to take necessary measures to safeguard lives and property in affected areas.
“Members of the public can contact their local Civil Protection Unit in the event of floods or other disasters,” said Mr Zinyemba.
Two weeks ago, the Civil Protection Unit assured members of the public that it was ready for the floods, with a special fund having been set aside to fund operations.
The acting director, Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the unit held campaigns and educated people on how to protect themselves from the floods.
In Bulawayo, susceptible areas include Nkulumane, Nketa, Lobengula, Gwabalanda and Luveve.
In Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho District, particularly Sipepa area and some parts of Hwange are usually affected by floods. Muzarabani, in Mashonaland Central Province is also susceptible to flooding.
In separate interviews last week, Tsholotsho Acting District Administrator, Mr Kelvin Mayoyo and Bulawayo City Council senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said they had been holding pre-disaster sensitisation meetings on how to deal with possible disasters.