Chronicle Editor
Welldone Ndlovu, Online Reporter
HEAVY rainfall has caused flooding in parts of Bulawayo, with several houses and roads in the city affected by the downpour.
Areas such as Entumbane suburb saw houses flooded as some residents reportedly refused to open weep holes in their walls.
In another incident, a heavy downpour near Nyamande Primary School in Old Lobengula suburb resulted in severe flooding on the road connecting to Njube suburb. The flooding caused vehicles to experience mechanical problems, with some even stalling on the waterlogged road.
Poor drainage is the primary cause of flooding on roads and in homes.
Last week, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) issued a weather advisory warning of hailstorms and cold conditions due to a shift in weather patterns. According to the advisory, heavy rains are expected as a result of a low-pressure system strengthening from the Mozambican Channel towards the Mozambican 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.
The MSD has urged members of the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to take necessary precautions during thunderstorms.
However, 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.
Ends
Online Reporter