Floods warning for Matabeleland as heavy rains brew

THE Matabeleland region is expected to experience flash floods as heavy rains are set to pound the country from today until Tuesday, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said.

Other provinces expected to be affected are Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo.

In its latest weather advisory issued yesterday, the agency warned that hailstorms and cold conditions are expected due to a change in weather patterns.

It stated that the projected heavy rains are a result of 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 expected over Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo on Saturday, 8th February 2025, and in Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, and the Midlands provinces from Sunday, 9th February 2025, until Tuesday, 11th February 2025,” reads the MSD statement.

“Hailstorms accompanied by strong winds and cold conditions are highly probable. Due to the intensity of the rainfall during this period, flash floods are highly likely.”

The MSD has urged members of the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to take necessary precautions during thunderstorms.

The rainfall will come as a relief to farmers who have experienced a dry spell over the past two weeks.

Zimbabwe is experiencing a La Niña weather season, which is expected to be characterised by normal to above-normal rainfall.

However, Bulawayo still requires significantly more rain in its supply dams, as most of them are less than 50 per cent full. The local authority is implementing a 130-hour weekly water-shedding programme to conserve the limited resources.

Crops and livestock in most parts of the country are doing well, with most communal dams already full.–@nqotshilii