The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has issued a warning of heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding in flood-prone areas, river basins, and wetlands across several provinces, including Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands, and Southern Matabeleland North.
The adverse weather is expected from Wednesday, 19 February to Thursday, 20 February 2025.
In an advisory released on Monday, 17 February 2025, at 4 PM, the MSD warned that heavy rainfall, exceeding 50mm in some areas, is likely, accompanied by lightning and strong wind gusts. Residents in affected regions are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions. MSD said:
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A thick cloud is slowly approaching the western borders of the country from Botswana. It is expected to be coupled by moisture from the north-west and that from the south-east.
This is anticipated to cause heavy rainfall (exceeding 70 mm) as well as string winds in provinces such as Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands and southern parts of Matabeleland North, effective from noon of Wednesday 19 February till the early hours of Thursday.
There is a chance of flash floods in flood-prone areas, in river basins. Roads may also be slippery and visibility reduced by rainfall, thus requiring a need for increased braking distance.
There may also be fallen trees and power lines. Therefore the public is advised to take precautionary measures as advised by the Civil Protection Unit.
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The weather department says there will be heavy rain, strong winds, and floods in some areas. The bad weather will be in places like Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands, and Southern Matabeleland North from February 19 to February 20, 2025. The rain could be more than 50mm, with lightning and strong winds. People are told to be careful and take precautions. The rain is coming from Botswana and other places, and it will be very heavy in some areas. There might be floods in low-lying areas and slippery roads, so be careful while driving. Fallen trees and power lines are also possible. People should listen to safety advice from the authorities.

Met Department Forecasts Heavy Rain, Strong Winds, Flash Flooding Across Several Provinces

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecasted that most parts of the country will experience heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flash floods until Saturday, January 11, 2025.
In an advisory issued over the weekend, the MSD predicted that heavy downpours exceeding 50 millimetres (mm) within 24 hours are expected across the country. The advisory noted:
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An abundance of moisture in the atmosphere, brought by a cloud system, has been causing rainfall across the country since late December 2024 and continues into January 2025.
Matabeleland North, northern areas of Midlands, Harare Metropolitan, northern parts of Manicaland, and all Mashonaland Provinces are expected to receive scattered thundershowers from 5–8 January 2025.
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The MSD said that additional moisture from the southeast coast of Southern Africa on Wednesday evening would result in cloudy, windy, and cold conditions over Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Manicaland Provinces. The MSD added:
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By Friday, January 10, the rain showers are expected to intensify in the southern parts of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, and Harare Metropolitan Provinces, with rainfall exceeding 50mm in 24 hours.
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The MSD also issued a warning about potential flooding, even in areas that might not have experienced heavy rains, as floods can result from upstream rainfall.
Violent storms could lead to falling trees, blown-off rooftops, and collapsing billboards due to strong winds.
The department advised the public to secure their rooftops and properties, avoid parking vehicles under trees, refrain from standing under trees or being the tallest object to prevent lightning strikes and avoid using outdoor heavy machinery during storms.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The weather department says there will be lots of rain and floods until January 11. Rain will be heavy and may cause flash floods. Some areas will have thunderstorms. People should be careful of falling trees and collapsing roofs. It's important to secure your home and avoid being outside during storms. The rain will be most intense in certain provinces, so people need to be extra cautious there. Stay safe and listen to the weather warnings.

Met Department Warns Of Heavy Rains And Floods Until January 11

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecast widespread rainfall and localised downpours across Zimbabwe from Monday, 12 November to Friday, 15 November.
In a weather advisory issued on Sunday, 10 November, the MSD warned that heavy rainfall, exceeding 50mm, is expected in the southern parts of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, and Harare Metropolitan Provinces on Wednesday. Said the MSD:
<blockquote>
A cloud band entered the country from the west on Sunday the 10th of November 2024 bringing moisture over all Matabeleland and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces.
On Monday evening, 11 November more moisture should be driven in from the South-East coast of Southern Africa.
This should result in more rainfall in Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces on Tuesday 12 November 2024.
By Wednesday 13 November, the rain-showers should be heavier in the southern parts of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Harare Metropolitan Provinces; with some of the rainfall being in excess of 50mm in 24 hours from Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 November 2024.
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During this period, the MSD has warned that lightning, hailstorms, and strong wind gusts are expected to affect the entire country.
Members of the public are urged to exercise caution, particularly around flooded rivers, low-lying bridges, and waterways. People are advised not to attempt crossing flooded rivers, as conditions could be hazardous.
Additionally, there is a risk of fallen trees, damaged rooftops, and billboards being blown off due to the strong winds. 
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The weather department says there will be lots of rain and heavy downpours in Zimbabwe from Monday to Friday. Different parts of the country will get different amounts of rain on different days. There may also be lightning, hail, and strong winds. People should be careful around flooded areas and not try to cross rivers. The strong winds could cause trees, roofs, and billboards to fall down. It's important to stay safe and listen to any advice from the authorities.

Met Department Forecasts Widespread Rainfall And Heavy Downpours

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has urged communities in flood-prone areas to be on high alert as heavy rains coupled with hailstorms are expected throughout the country until 30 December 2023.
In a recent statement, the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) said heavy rains are expected in the northern parts of Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Harare, before spreading across the country by Saturday.
The Met Department warned that low-lying areas such as Muzarabani and the Zambezi Valley among other areas were at a high risk of flooding.
According to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/flood-prone-areas-on-high-alert-as-heavy-storms-forecast/">Chronicle</a>, in the Matabeleland region, Tsholotsho and Binga have pockets that are always susceptible to flooding, while in Bulawayo, areas that include parts of Nkulumane, Nketa and Cowdray Park suburbs often experience flooding during heavy storms.
The MSD said an anticipated cloud band that would bring along heavy rains landed in the country yesterday and the Matabeleland region received the heavier rains. It said:
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The much-anticipated cloud band has fallen into Zimbabwe and this morning the western half of the country recorded some significant falls. The highest measured amounts of rainfall were at; Bulawayo Goetz Observatory 31mm, Binga 21mm, Lupane 15mm, Victoria Falls 14mm, Kariba 13mm and Joshua Nkomo International Airport 10mm. Meanwhile, the cloud band is sweeping across the country from the West to the East.
The western parts of the country should be affected first then by 30 December the whole country should have been affected. Localised heavy downpours with rainfall above 50mm in 24 hours are anticipated in some places with strong winds, lightning and hailstorms.
All areas are expected to receive localised rainfall amounts of 50mm or more in 24 hours and flooding is probable in low-lying areas such as the Muzarabani, Save, and Zambezi valley.
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The MSD warned members of the public against crossing flooded rivers, saying people can be swept away by water above their ankles while a 30cm depth of flowing water can even sweep away large vehicles.
The MSD also urged the public to avoid being in fields, hilltops, tall trees, and bodies of water and remain indoors during thunderstorms to avoid being struck by lightning.
Meanwhile, the CPU, which deals with natural disasters in the country, said it has activated all its sub-national structures to deal with rain-related eventualities. CPU director Nathan Nkomo said:
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As per our tradition, we have activated all our sub-national structures and we have done our educational awareness campaigns. We usually say if you see your programme being adopted by traditional leaders then you would be satisfied.
So we have communicated with the traditional leaders’ structures on issues governing disasters.
We might not have given them adequate resources but it is very very critical information spreads in communities.
It is our motto that disaster prevention begins with information and we have spread the information.
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Zimbabwe is poorly prepared for natural disasters such as floods due to the underfunding of the CPU and there is an acute shortage of equipment to rescue victims.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Flood-prone Areas On High Alert As Met Office Forecasts Heavy Downpours

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Meteorological_Services_Department">Meteorological Services Department (MSD) of Zimbabwe</a> has said most parts of Zimbabwe are expected to receive heavy rainfall from today 16 February 2023.
In a weather update seen by Pindula News, MSD urged members of the public to stay indoors as the heavy rainfall may disrupt outdoor activities. Reads the weather update issued on the 15th of February 2023:
• WHAT?: HEAVY RAINFALL 
• WHERE?: THE MOST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY 
• WHEN?: THURSDAY 16 TO MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2023 
• WATCH OUT FOR: LOCALIZED VERY HEAVY RAINS (IN EXCESS OF 50mm) &amp; FLASH FLOODING IN AREAS WITH SATURATED SOILS, WETLANDS, IMPERVIOUS GROUNDS &amp; ALONG RIVER BASINS. BLOWN OFF ROOFTOPS &amp; FALLEN TREES DUE TO STRONG WINDS. OPEN DRAINS AND POTHOLES THAT MAY BE COVERED IN WATER 
• WHAT TO DO: STAY INDOORS DURING THUNDERSTORMS UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY RAIN MAY AFFECT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: PLANS WITH WEATHER IN MIND, IF TRAVEL IS NECESSARY, PLEASE TAKE CAUTION ON THE ROADS AS VISIBILITY MAY BE REDUCED AND THERE MAY BE HIDDEN FLOOD DANGERS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FLOODED RIVERS [ON FOOT OR IN VEHICLES] 
*UPDATES ON THE IMPACTS AND REFINED AREAS TO BE AFFECTED WILL BE AVAILED THROUGH THE MSD PLATFORMS 
• WARNING LEVEL: 4 
LIKELIHOOD: LOW 
IMPACT: SIGNIFICANT
HOW?: The effects of a Cut-off low, expected from Thursday 16 February into the weekend, should be felt in most parts of the country with heavy rains mainly expected in the southern half of the country. Rainfall amounts in excess of 65mm in 24 hours with a high probability of flash floods in the low-lying areas are anticipated. This is normal for this time of the year, especially in a season that is expected to have above-normal to normal rains.
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Heavy Rainfall Alert: MSD Says Affects Most Parts Of The Country

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecasted heavy rains and flash floods in the Southern and Eastern parts of the country from 09 to 15 February 2023.
In a recent advisory, the MSD said the rains are due to moisture drifting into the country from Mozambique. It said:
<blockquote>
Moisture is drifting into the country from Mozambique through Mashonaland East and Manicaland Provinces, this has been coupled by a cloud band moving from Botswana into Matabeleland South.
These two systems should lead to considerable rainfall in Matabeleland South, southern parts of Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Harare Metropolitan Provinces, as well as other areas along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
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The Met Department also warned that localised heavy downpours accompanied by lightning and hailstorms are probable. MSD said:
<blockquote>
Localised heavy rains in excess of 50 millimeters with lightning and hailstorms will in some places result in rooftops being blown off causing loose debris while trees may fall due to strong winds.
Open drains and potholes that may be covered in water are some of the things to watch out for.
</blockquote>
The MSD advised members of the public to stay indoors during thunderstorms unless it’s an emergency, and to avoid crossing flooded rivers on foot or in vehicles as this may lead to loss of life.

Met Department Warns Of Heavy Rains, Strong Winds

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) and the Department of Civil Protection have terminated the heavy rainfall alert they issued last week.
The departments said the heavy rainfall activity has reduced since Monday this week.
The Met Department’s head of forecasting, James Ngoma, <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/heavy-rainfall-alert-terminated/">told State media</a> the cloud band that was responsible for the heavy rainfall has weakened. He said:
<blockquote>
The band which was responsible for the considerable rain over the weekend has since weakened and moved eastward into Mozambique and beyond.
The country is however still in the main rainy season, with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone still very much active, thus more rainfall is anticipated.
The MSD will keep monitoring and keeping the public informed of all-weather events that may affect Zimbabwe and its populace.
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Ngoma advised people in the southern parts of the country to harvest water as there will likely be a lull in rainfall activity. He said:
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Moderate rains are still expected, with localized downpours. A slight lull in the rainfall is probable, especially in the Southern parts of the country.
What people should do is practice water harvesting from all possible sources, irrigate where plant stress is noted, and consult their local agritex officer for site-specific crop and livestock advice.
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