MSD warns of isolated but violent storms this week

THE Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has warned of violent storms in some parts of the country including Matabeleland region this week, marking the start of the 2024/2025 rainy season.

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has since activated its national disaster response systems.

The onset of the rains, although projected to be insignificant this month, are expected to intensify in line with the normal to above-normal projections for the 2024/25 La Nina season predictions across the southern African region.

The MSD has since issued a cautionary weather update for three days ending Wednesday, stating that Matabeleland North and the northern parts of the country will receive isolated but violent showers while it will be cooler in other parts of the country.

“Moisture is expected to drift into the northern parts of the country namely Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces early on Sunday morning, 13 October 2024.

“This should quickly spread into the northern Midlands, Harare Metropolitan and all Mashonaland provinces and intensify slightly, on Tuesday 15 October 2024, resulting in isolated light showers coupled with lightning and thunder and windy conditions,” said MSD in its latest public update.

“Anticipate a significant strengthening of relatively cool winds, from the south-east coast of Southern Africa, on Tuesday evening. This should steer a cool and moist south-easterly airflow into Zimbabwe resulting in cloudy, windy and cool weather over Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland provinces as well as southern part of the Midlands on Wednesday 16 October 2024. Light rain and drizzle is probable in places.”

The weather agency warned the public against standing under trees or being the tallest object in a flat plain as this poses a higher risk of being struck by lightning.

It advised farmers to continue their seasonal farming preparations and align these with consultation insight from local agronomists for expert advice.

Civil Protection Unit director, Mr Nathan Nkomo, said a disaster contingency plan for the 2024/25 rainy season has already been put in place.

“We have just graduated from a two-day contingency planning meeting where we had over 70 participants from various sectors to review our current contingency from both SADC regional weather projections and MSD. We have put our machinery in motion and what is left is to put it to test when the rains come,” said Mr Nkomo.

He said traditional leaders were at the meeting because the CPU wants the state of preparedness to be embraced even at village level in order to save lives and property. — @nqotshili