James Ngoma, head of forecasting at the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), said on Friday that Tropical Cyclone Chido is expected to make landfall in Mutoko, located in northeastern Zimbabwe, on Monday from midday, going into Tuesday.
During a press briefing at the Department of Civil Protection in Harare, Ngoma said that Chido is likely to be less destructive upon reaching Mutoko than it has been in the Indian Ocean, where it is currently causing a lot of destruction. He said:
<blockquote>
We are approximating that it will reach Zimbabwe from 16 December from around noon going into the 17th of December.
The cyclone was expected to make its first contact with land in Madagascar’s Antsiranana at 2 PM today before it starts making its way to Mozambique, then to Zimbabwe in three days.
Current position, it’s just to the northeast of Madagascar, and it’s going to touch a city called Antsiranana which is to the extreme north of Madagascar and what speed is it travelling at?
It’s moving at 20 kilometres per hour. That’s the speed at which it’s moving laterally, but it doesn’t involve the spin speed.
It’s 1,919 kilometres from Mutoko. The effects will be felt whilst it’s still in Mozambique and parts of Malawi.
</blockquote>
Ngoma said six provinces, that is, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, as well as Harare Metropolitan, are currently on the watch list. He said:
<blockquote>
All of them are in the watch category. They are not yet in the alert category. Once we move into the alert, we will remove some of the provinces and we will specify maybe even the ones that will be affected most.
I think most of us remember the Tropical Cyclone Fred which did a dance around in Zimbabwe, went to Mozambique, then ended up in Malawi and caused devastation there. So these cyclones can move in a haphazard manner, especially when they touch land.
</blockquote>
The cyclone is likely to lose energy as it navigates through different countries and as a result it will reach Zimbabwe moving at 45 knots (83.3 kilometres per hour). Said Ngoma:
<blockquote>
So the current wind speeds that it’s spinning at is between 210 to 220 kilometres per hour. That is whilst it’s still close to Madagascar.
And with these wind speeds, the destruction is unimaginable. You get trees being pulled out, roofs being blown off, waters being carried from the ocean onto land, and disasters are unproportional.
But when it reaches Zimbabwe, it’s projected to be moving at about 45 kilometres to about 50 kilometres per hour.
But this might change. So we’ll continue to monitor this and advise you better as the weekend progresses.
And from there, we’ll know how it’s been deflected or what effects that landmass has had on the cyclone.
And then we can predict better in terms of rainfall, in terms of direction, in terms of whichever path it will take.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Tropical Cyclone Chido is coming to Mutoko in Zimbabwe. It is moving at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It will be less destructive in Zimbabwe compared to the Indian Ocean. The wind speed is 210 to 220 km/h near Madagascar. Six provinces in Zimbabwe are on the watch list for the cyclone. The cyclone may lose energy as it moves through different countries. It is expected to reach Zimbabwe with a speed of 45 to 50 km/h. The Meteorological Services Department is monitoring the cyclone and will give updates as needed.

Tropical Cyclone Chido Bears Down On Mutoko

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of the possibility of erratic rainfall across much of northern Zimbabwe from October to December.
However, the MSD has forecasted normal to above normal in some central and southern western regions of the country over the same period.
MSD head of forecasting James Ngoma told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/observations-show-a-seasonal-delay-of-rainfall-for-first-period/">The Herald</a> on Friday that the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which normally brings rains across the country might delay. He said:
<blockquote>
Areas in Matabeleland north and south, Bulawayo — in the south and western part of the country started receiving rains as early as September. This was followed by a dry spell and some isolated showers last week.
We are expecting isolated showers over the Eastern Highlands this weekend. We expect these to spread into the interior of the country on Monday and Tuesday (next week).
Most areas in the south and western parts of the country have received less than 5mm of rain.
There might be a false start in the northern parts. Some areas might not receive rain as the systems have not fully established.
Rains are more likely in the southwestern part of the country where there are forecasted to be normal to above normal for the October — November — December period while in the northern part, rains are forecast to be below normal to normal as the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which normally bring rains might delay.
</blockquote>
The <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/atmosphere/intertropical-convergence-zone#:~:text=The%20Intertropical%20Convergence%20Zone%2C%20or,frequent%20thunderstorms%20and%20heavy%20rain.">UK Met Office</a> defines ITCZ as a band of low pressure around the Earth which generally lies near the equator. The trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres come together here, which leads to the development of frequent thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Meanwhile, according to the Zimbabwe National Climate Outlook Forum, the country is expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall in the 2022 – 23 cropping season.

Late And Erratic Rainfall Forecasted For First Period

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecasted thunderstorms for Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
MSD head of forecasting James Ngoma said parts of Bulawayo, Tsholotsho, Lupane and Gwanda should expect heavier downpours. He said:
<blockquote>
All three provinces, Matabeleland North, South and Bulawayo will be affected by thunderstorms and also parts of Midlands provinces.
We are expecting it for Tuesday into Wednesday and then as we get further into the week it becomes less.
It has been rather dry and we are expecting heavy downpours in places, especially parts of Bulawayo, Tsholotsho district and parts of Lupane and Gwanda.
But because it has been dry for the past few weeks, we don’t expect much in terms of flash flooding, but more in terms of heavy rains.
These are normal periodic rains that we get towards the end of the season and as we get cloud bands coming in.
At the beginning of the season, we get these cloud bands and at the end, we get them also. 
They are coming from Botswana into the western parts of the country, spreading eastwards to the rest of the country.
</blockquote>
In its weather forecast for Thursday, the MSD said localised heavy rains exceeding 30mm are probable, especially over Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan and northern parts of Midlands, as well as northern districts of Manicaland Province.
On Monday, parts of Harare received significant amounts of rainfall: 50mm (Royal Harare Golf Club), 36mm (Harare, Belvedere), 29mm (Harare, Kutsaga), 26mm (Harare, Logan Park).
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/thunderstorms-to-hit-matabeleland-provinces/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Thunderstorms To Hit Bulawayo, Matabeleland Provinces

The heavy rains that have been experienced since Friday last week are expected to intensify this Tuesday, with the possibility of more than 50mm of rainfall within 24 hours in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and other parts of the country.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Meteorological_Services_Department" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meteorological Services Department (MSD</a>) Principal Meteorologist James Ngoma told the Chronicle that there will be continuous heavy rains in most parts of Matabeleland region, Masvingo and the Midlands today. He said:
<blockquote>Continuous heavier falls in excess of 50mm remain probable especially in areas such as Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Matabeleland North and parts of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Masvingo_Province" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Masvingo Province</a> into Midlands.
In all areas it should be mostly cloudy and cooler than of late with morning rains as well as scattered afternoon or evening thunderstorms.
All other areas should expect intermittent rain showers coupled with brief sunny breaks. Afternoon thunderstorms remain probable.</blockquote>
Ngoma added that the rains will diminish across most parts of Matabeleland South and Bulawayo provinces and isolated showers should still be expected in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Matabeleland_North_Province" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matabeleland North province</a> later this week.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/heavy-rains-for-byo-mat-south-today/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Continuous Heavier Rainfall Predicted Over Southern Parts Of Zimbabwe

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) announced that the country will experience heavy rainfall starting today. MSD official James Ngoma said precipitation is moving from South Africa and Botswana entering the country via Masvingo and Matabeleland where the rains are expected to start falling today before spreading to Mashonaland Provinces.
<blockquote>Localized heavier rainfall in access of 50 mm in 24 hours cannot be ruled out, so we advise the people to keep indoors when the rains start to fall, he stated.</blockquote>
Ngoma added that more rainfall is expected from the Zambian side entering the country through the southern parts of the side starting from next week.
<blockquote>More rainfall is expected to start next week, this will prolong a bit especially in Mashonaland Provinces and this should be good for farmers.</blockquote>
<h3>More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/met-dept-predicts-onset-of-rains/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZBC News</a></h3>

James Ngoma Latest News

Latest Jobs