HARARE – Heavy rains are expected in at least four of the country’s provinces starting this Friday with the Department of Civil Protection urging citizens to be on high alert for possible flooding.
In a joint statement Wednesday, the Meteorological Services Department and the Department of Civil Protection said in excess of 65mm rainfall is expected for Mashonaland, Manicaland, Midlands and Masvingo provinces going into the weekend.
“The Department of Civil Protection is urging citizens to be on high alert of forecasted torrential rains from Friday 6 through Sunday January 8, 2023 across the country.
“We also call on all relevant stakeholders and traditional leaders to find ways to disseminate the information to their various communities, in particular all Mashonaland, Manicaland, parts of the Midlands and Masvingo provinces where heavy rains in excess of 65mm are expected in 24 hours,” read the joint statements.
The departments also urged citizens to take heed of the Meteorological Services Department’s alerts as authorities continue monitoring the unfolding situation.
“Citizens should be on the watch for possible flooding, avoid crossing flooded rivers/streams and stay indoors during the period as the heavy rains may reduce visibility for motorists.
“District Civil Protection Committees countrywide have been mobilised,” it said.
Civil Protection Department chief director Nathan Nkomo told Zimlive that systems had been activated to manage potential flooding in the areas.
“Now that we are in the January, February, March period which is associated with cyclones, we need to make sure that we put our act together. We need to save lives.
“We always discourage people from crossing whether its water spilling over bridges or flooded rivers. We also discourage people from taking shelter under a tree when it’s raining,” he said.
