The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has received the latest equipment to predict weather patterns and this will enable the country to reduce the negative effects of climate change.
This was said by Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality minister Mangaliso Ndlovu in a speech to commemorate the World Meteorological Day in Harare on Wednesday. Said Ndlovu:
An institution like MSD is critical in saving lives and making sure that we are prepared to save our infrastructure.
We realise that for quite some time, not enough attention has been given to this department.
We are now present at all our 47 weather stations where we have begun the process of upgrading the equipment that is there and putting automatic weather stations.
We will begin with installing radar, which is one of the five pieces of radar equipment which we purchased at head office.
All five will be installed by the end of the year. Radar equipment will ensure that accurate weather reports are attained in Zimbabwe.
This equipment is paramount to societies that are mainly exposed to extreme weather patterns.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has experienced devastating tropical cyclones that have claimed lives and destroyed infrastructure.
The intensity of the cyclones has been attributed to the warming Indian Ocean caused by climate change.
In March 2019, Cyclone Idai ravaged communities in Chimanimani and Chipinge, among other areas, and in January 2022, Cyclone Ana caused flash floods in parts of Zimbabwe.