Lightning kills 9

Daniel Mhonda Mutare Correspondent
Nine people and six cattle have been killed by lightning in Manicaland since the beginning of the rainy season, which has been accompanied by heavy winds, hail and thunder storms.

The violent storms have also destroyed property and crops worth thousands of dollars.

Manicaland chief meteorological officer Mr Lucas Murambi said the province has been experiencing the amplified effects of climate change.

He said the deaths that have been reported so far were recorded in Mutasa, Chimanimani and Chipinge.

“Climate change impacts and variability are becoming more evident as evidenced by increased incidences of hailstorms, thunderstorms and heat waves. So far in Manicaland, lightning has showed its ugly face and we have recorded the death of more than nine people and six cattle. We might have more cases but it is likely that some of the incidences have not yet been reported,” he said.

Three members of a Chisumbanje family were struck by lightning last week when they went out to investigate a lightning bolt that had uprooted a tree at their homestead. The other six people died in separate incidents after being struck in Mutasa and Chimanimani districts.

Mr Murambi said the trail of destruction had amplified this season as compared to the previous season.

He said in 2017/18 season, the most dominant were wind storms, which affected Buhera district where several huts were destroyed.

He added that there was an urgent need to plant as many trees as possible to mitigate effects of climate change.