Floods warning lifted as cyclone Funso changes course

of thunderstorms across vast swathes of Zimbabwe.
The Metrological Services Department last week issued a warning of the rains, while farmers’ organisations and experts advised farmers to avoid applying fertilisers and chemicals during the period.

Met Services Head of Public Weather Service Mr Tich Zinyemba said there was no imminent danger to the country after the depression changed course.
The situation is likely to come as a reprieve to farmers who in the past years have lost livestock, crops and property to the rains.

“The following advisory comes ahead of the warning on potential heavy rain in Zimbabwe attributed to a tropical cyclone issued by the Department on January 20, 2012.
“The tropical cyclone ‘Funso’ has since moved back into the Mozambique Channel reducing the imminent danger of heavy rain over Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mr Zinyemba said people should continue to listen to weather updates since by nature tropical cyclones were unpredictable in their movements and could change direction anytime. “Accordingly, we will continue monitoring it and issue appropriate public warnings when necessary. The floods presently wreaking havoc in Mozambique and South Africa should warn us not to be complacent,” he said.

The country has, however, continued to receive scattered thunderstorms particularly in the Mashonaland provinces, Harare and Matabeleland North with rainfall activity expected to remain low until this weekend.