Heavy rains expected countrywide

Herald Reporter

WIDESPREAD rains are expected to cover the country next week, the Meteorological Services Department has said.

The department yesterday warned of the impending heavy rains following a lull in rainfall activity that is set to end this weekend, saying the trends and patterns of their system were indicating that rainfall activity should commence from Sunday night into Monday.

The recent dry spell — lasting for a week in some parts of the country — was, however, a blessing in disguise to farmers who were still planting. "Rainfall activity should commence from Sunday night and will last until Thursday when a decrease of activity is expected across the country.

"Widespread rains are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday with amounts expected to increase on Wednesday," said the department.

The weather experts added that the activity should start along the south of the main watershed that covers areas in the south of Midlands, south of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo, spreading to other parts of the country.

In the last seven days, the department said, notable amounts of rainfall were recorded in areas along and north of the main watershed.

On November 24, Mt Hampden recorded 75mm in 24 hours, Banket 64mm, Ashdown Park 63mm, Karoi 52mm and Wedza 51mm.

On November 20, Beitbridge recorded 53mm, Kezi 45mm, Plumtree 32mm and Zaka 29mm. Most parts of the country received rainfall ranging from 20mm to 30mm in 24 hours.

In the region’s seasonal forecast, weather experts predicted that the north-eastern part of Zimbabwe was most likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall in both halves of the rainy season with the south-west receiving below normal in both halves.

The north-west is likely to be in deficit in the first three months from October to December but in surplus in the second three months, from January to March, while the south-east will be in surplus in the first three months and in deficit in the second half of the season.

Well, I suppose I'm glad Gordon convinced me not to go in Dec

Rainfall activity set to increase: Met

Herald Reporter
December 1, 2009

Zimbabwe is expected to witness an increase in rainfall activity as the week progresses with Masvingo, Manicaland and the north-eastern parts of the country getting the heaviest falls.

Downfalls of more than 50 millimetres per day are anticipated in most parts although rainfall is expected to ease by next week.

The Meteorological Services Department said yesterday the heavy falls had characterised most parts of the country with notable falls being recorded in Harare with 75mm, Banket 64mm and Karoi 64mm, Wedza 51mm, Kariba 28mm and Kadoma getting 14mm.

The spread of rainfall clearly shows that rains were beginning to shift to the northern parts of the country although significant heavy falls were still being received in the southern parts.

"Heavy falls occurred at the beginning of last week that saw widespread precipitation across the country. As the week progressed the skies cleared although light rains picked up on Sunday.

"Wet conditions are, however, expected to continue across Zimbabwe until Saturday this week. Falls exceeding 50mm within 24 hours are expected on December 1 in Masvingo. On December 2, heavy falls exceeding 50mm are expected over Manicaland with the same amounts expected in the north-eastern parts of the country," read the statement from the Met offices. The department, however, said there were still chances of the country experiencing flash floods in some areas and urged people to remain alert.

Last week the department issued a flood warning and advised people in low-lying areas to be on lookout of possible flooding.

Civil Protection Unit deputy director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the unit was monitoring weather development in the country but had not heard any adverse reports from the provinces.

Last week the Met Department warned of flash flooding in some areas as the country continues to receive heavy rains in some parts of the country. As the season has grown the rainfall activity has intensified in the northern parts of the country raising fears of flooding in the perennial problem areas around Muzarabani, Middle Sabi, Tsholotsho and Chipinge. This year, the CPU borrowed communication equipment from the International Telecommunications Union to be used in relaying of information from cholera and flood-prone areas in the country.

Southern African countries have experienced unpredictable weather in the past few years that has been blamed on the effects of climate change. Climate change has seen most countries in the region being affected by frequent droughts and floods that have left a trail of destruction.

I hope Mike Jines is set to finish his hunt with the Buzzer this week in time to miss the rains! Anyone heard from him?

The valley is not the place to be when the rains start hard.

We're not too far from Zim and have had some good rains here recently. We've had several occasions where we've had 2-3 inches in an hour or two and we had 16 inches of rain in about 50 odd hours a week or so ago.

Mind you, it's buggered the roads like you wouldn't believe.

anyone know if they are getting rains in Masailand? It was very dry in August most of the animals where in the park.

quote:

Originally posted by tradewinds:
anyone know if they are getting rains in Masailand? It was very dry in August most of the animals where in the park.

Yeah, it was horrible, and 300,000 head of Kenyan Maasai cattle certainly didn't help matters.