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.
</blockquote>
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.

Pindula News

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.
</blockquote>
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:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>

Met Department Terminates Heavy Rainfall Alert

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecasted heavy rains across the country between Thursday 29 December 2022 and Tuesday 3 January 2023 beginning in the north and spreading southwards.
In a weather advisory issued on Monday, 26 December 2022, the Met Department said the wet spell is due to the drifting into the country of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
The ITCZ is a zone of low pressure that forms near the Earth’s equator resulting in a band of heavy rainfall. MSD said:
<blockquote>
Moisture should start drifting into the country from Zambia through all Mashonaland Provinces from Thursday 29 December 2022.
This should gradually spread southwards to cover Matabeleland North, northern parts of Midlands, northern districts of Manicaland, Bulawayo Metropolitan and Harare Metropolitan Provinces into New Year, with a cloud band expected to enhance rainfall over Matabeleland South and Masvingo Provinces during the first week of January 2023.
Thus much of the country should receive rain showers by the close of the first week of January 2023.
Hazards to watch out for during this period include lightning, strong winds and localised hailstorms.
</blockquote>
The Met Department also warned the public to watch out for localised heavy rains in excess of 50mm with lightning and hail stones in some places, blown off rooftops, loose debris and fallen trees due to strong winds.

Met Department Forecasts Torrential Rains Across The Country

The Meteorologic Department has said heavy rains are still possible in many parts of the country, in the department’s weather forecast valid till Sunday 31 January. The statement also stated that heavy rains in access of 66 mm were received in Fatherstorn and some places like Vic Falls, Zaka and Binga received rains in excess of 33mm.
Said the MSD in a statement:
<blockquote>29 JANUARY 2021 VALID UNTIL SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021.
PREAMBLE
The presence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone coupled with strengthening of moist south-easterly winds led to countrywide thunderstorms and heavy rains in a number of places yesterday. Of note Featherstone (Chikomba District) measuring 66 mm by this morning, Zaka recorded 57 mm, Kezi and J. M. Nkomo International Airport (Bulawayo) both measured 54 mm, 48 mm at Victoria Falls, Mvurwi had 41 mm, 39 mm at Mukandi as well as at West Nicholson, Binga record 32 mm, while Goetz Observatory (Bulawayo) and Beitbridge both measured 31 mm.
FORECAST
FORECAST FOR TOMORROW SATURDAY 30 JANUARY 2021: 
South-eastern parts of Masvingo Province (namely Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Bikita into Zaka District) and southern areas of Manicaland (Districts such as Chipinge and Chimanimani) should be partly cloudy and warm with isolated showers which may be thundery in places. Thunderstorms and rain is expected in all other areas (Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Bulawayo and Harare Metropolitan and all Mashonaland Provinces) with mostly cloudy, humid and warm conditions for the bulk of the day. Localized heavier downpours (in excess of 30 mm) are probable in areas along the main watershed.
IMPACTS
<ul>
<li>Flooded rivers remain a potential hazard; even if it has not rained heavily in the area, heavy rains may have occurred upstream.</li>
<li>Heavy downpours may reduce visibility and flood dangers become difficult to perceive during heavy rains</li>
<li>Destructive winds may result in trees falling and blown-off of roof tops.</li>
</ul>
ACTIONS TO TAKE
<ul>
<li>When Thunder Roars, it is best to be indoors! Do not shelter under trees or in isolated sheds</li>
<li>Avoid crossing flooded rivers and swollen streams whether on foot or in a vehicle.</li>
<li>Keep away from metal equipment and pipes, as these are prone to lightning strikes.</li>
<li>Do not ride at the back of an open truck or drive a tractor during a storm,</li>
<li>Avoid driving when visibility is poor, more so at night and during heavy rains.</li>
<li>Stay Weather-Ready and Environment-Safe.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

Heavy Rains Still Possible In Many Parts Of The Country - MSD

The Meteriology Sercives Deaprtment has warned Zimbabweans in various parts of the country that heavy rains in excess of 30mm is still possible today and tomorrow.
This was revealed in a focast that stated that some part of the country like Seke and Goromonzi received 38mm and 29mm respectivelly:
<blockquote>The warm and humid conditions currently affecting the country resulted in cloudiness with rain and outbreaks of thunderstorms yesterday, Wednesday 15 November. The rains were generally light, except in areas such as Seke (38 mm), Tarisa Park Goromonzi (29 mm), Marondera (27 mm), Sanyati (26 mm), Henderson (23 mm), Kwekwe (21 mm), Tsholotsho (20 mm) and Chinhoyi (20 mm).
ALL AREAS It should be mostly cloudy and warm with rain-showers that may be thundery in places. Localized heavier falls in excess of 30mm remain probable especially over high ground. Mild conditions are expected overnight.</blockquote>
MSD also warned people and said:
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li> Flooded rivers remain a potential hazard; even if it has not rained heavily in the area, heavy rains may have occurred upstream.</li>
<li>Flash flooding is also a high potential as soils in most areas have become saturated</li>
<li>Heavy downpours may reduce visibility and flood dangers become difficult to perceive during heavy rains</li>
<li>Lightning remains a potential threat to human life.</li>
<li>Avoid crossing flooded rivers and swollen streams whether on foot or in a vehicle, as just 30 cm depth of flowing water is enough to sweep away a vehicle.</li>
<li>When Thunder Roars, it is best to be indoors! Do not shelter under trees or in isolated sheds</li>
<li>Keep away from metal equipment and pipes, as these are prone to lightning strikes.</li>
<li>Do not ride at the back of an open truck or drive a tractor during a storm,</li>
<li>Avoid driving when visibility is poor, more so at night and during heavy rains.</li>
<li>Ensure drainage systems are kept clean to allow water to flow away from residential areas.</li>
<li>Ensure rooftops are strongly secured and intact as the potential of wind gust is high.</li>
<li>Do not park vehicles under trees as water-soaked branched tend to collapse without warning.</li>
<li>Stay Weather-Ready and Environment-Safe.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-193387 size-full" decoding="async" height="2120" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1633px) 100vw, 1633px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3.jpg 1633w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3-231x300.jpg 231w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3-789x1024.jpg 789w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3-768x997.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3-1183x1536.jpg 1183w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3-1578x2048.jpg 1578w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WEather-Forcast-3-1320x1714.jpg 1320w" width="1633"/>

Heavy Rains In Excess Of 30mm Still Possible Countrywide This Weekend - MSD

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned the general public to expect heavy rains, lightning and strong winds this week until the weekend as the rain season commences, The Herald reports.
This was contained in a statement that was released by MSD that stated that:
<blockquote>They (the heavy rains) will be accompanied by strong winds as well as lightning and possibly hail
Similar conditions should spread north-eastward to affect all Mashonaland provinces as well as Harare Metropolitan from Thursday into Friday, and slightly ease off on Saturday 28 November.
The Meteorological Services Department will continue monitoring and issue updates as the system progresses.</blockquote>
MSD in the same statement said the heavy rains were expected in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Masvingo, and Bulawayo Metropolitan.
Together with the Civil Protection Unit (MSD) urged motorists to exercise caution while on the road and those in sunny areas like Harare to wear their sunscreen.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/heavy-rains-expected-2/">The Herald  </a>

Expect Heavy Rains Until Saturday - MSD

A farmer, Michael Tigere of plot 56 Velvekia farm, was fatally struck by lightning as he was going home from his field in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mvurwi">Mvurwi</a> Bulawayo 24 reports.
The incident was reportedly confirmed by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mashonaland_Central">Mashonaland Central</a> police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe who said:
<blockquote>I can  can confirm a case of sudden death in Mvurwi where a farmer was fatally  struck by bolt of lightning,</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Meteorological_Services_Department">MSD</a> has <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/01/09/msd-forecasts-heavy-rainfall-people-advised-to-be-cautious/">warned of heavy rains and flooding in some parts of the country in the next few days</a> and the police have further warned people to not move around when its raining.
More: <a href="https://bulawayo24.com/news/national/177054">Bulawayo 24</a>

Lightning Kills Mvurwi Farmer

Heavy rains and winds have destroyed homes, churches and a hospital in Karoi. Several households were left without shelter after the torrential rains in the past few days.
Reports indicate that the most affected area is Chikangwe High-density suburb and the most affected people are widows and single mothers. A single mother who spoke to Newsday, Sarudzai Mudimu, said that the asbestos roof was blown off her house and she has to seek for accommodation from neighbours.
Hurungwe district administrator Peacemaker Muzenda, who is also the district civil protection unit chairperson said
<blockquote>I can confirm what has happened in Karoi. Currently, we do not have statistics of the affected households and we cannot give an evaluation of how much damage has been done. We are planning to have those affected accommodated at schools that are secure while we work on modalities.</blockquote>
Several parts of the country have experienced violent thunderstorms this season. The heavy rains are often triggered by high temperatures which trigger convectional rainfall.
<h2>Related:</h2>
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<h3><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/11/29/heavy-rains-strong-winds-leave-14-families-homeless-in-muzarabani/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Leave 14 Families Homeless In Muzarabani</a></h3>
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<h3><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/11/23/uzumba-maramba-pfungwe-hailstorm-victims-get-groceries-building-materials/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe Hailstorm Victims Get Groceries, Building Materials</a></h3>
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