BULAWAYO – Residents of Matabeleland South, Bulawayo, and the Midlands are bracing for heavy rainfall in excess of 70mm, accompanied by strong winds, as the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has issued a red alert for the region between today, Wednesday, and tomorrow, Thursday. The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has issued urgent warnings, urging residents to take precautionary measures to avoid potential loss of life and property.
The MSD, in conjunction with the CPU, issued a notice on Monday, cautioning residents in the red-flagged areas to prepare for the anticipated heavy downpours. “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,” the MSD stated.
“This is anticipated to cause heavy rainfall (exceeding 70 mm) as well as strong 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.”
The weather experts warned of the potential for flash floods in flood-prone areas and river basins, adding that “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.”
Several areas are particularly susceptible to flash floods, including Cowdray Park, Sizinda, and Nketa in Bulawayo, as well as Beitbridge in Matabeleland South province.
Following the warnings, the CPU has specifically urged school authorities to assess the situation carefully before dismissing learners, emphasizing the need to prevent any loss of life. Mrs Tsvagai Fikile Marovatsanga, Head of the CPU in Bulawayo and acting provincial director in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, stated that provincial education officials have been engaged to ensure school authorities assess the situation daily before dismissing pupils.
“We also made it clear that no learner, especially those in Early Childhood Development, must be dismissed from school when it’s raining or had just rained until it has been ascertained that it’s safe to do so,” she said.
Her counterpart in Matabeleland South, Mr Zacharia Jusa, echoed this sentiment, stating that provincial education officials have been informed that teachers must assess the situation before dismissing learners once it rains. “If it is not safe for the learners to be dismissed, the school authorities must contact the CPU for assistance,” said Mr Jusa.
The warning comes after a tragic incident last Friday, when Pamela Ncube (5) from Donkwe Donkwe Primary School in Kezi, Matobo district, Matabeleland South, was swept away by a flooded stream while walking home from school with classmates.
The MSD has also indicated that areas along the main watershed in Matabeleland North, the Midlands, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland will experience a mix of weather conditions today, with heavy rainfall expected. The morning will be partly cloudy and mild, transitioning to “mostly cloudy and warm, with scattered thunderstorms” as the day progresses.
In contrast, other provinces will begin with partly cloudy and mild conditions in the morning, gradually becoming warm in the afternoon, with isolated thundershowers expected.
Yesterday, the Mashonaland provinces, Harare Metropolitan, Midlands, and northern parts of Manicaland experienced partly cloudy and mild conditions in the morning, with isolated light rain. By afternoon, these areas became mostly cloudy and warm, with scattered thunderstorms and heavy rain predicted in some places.
Meanwhile, the remaining regions saw mild morning conditions that transitioned to partly cloudy and warm in the afternoon, with isolated showers that may have been thundery.
The previous day, much of the country experienced scattered thunderstorms due to an abundance of moisture in the atmosphere. Significant rainfall amounts were recorded in various locations, including Agritex Nyamweda (70mm), Lusulu Tsetse Control (55mm), and Gwanda (47mm), among others. Over the southern areas, including Masvingo and the southern parts of Manicaland, light showers were observed due to a cool, moist airflow.
The western half of the country was mostly cloudy yesterday morning with mild conditions and isolated light rains caused by moisture entering from Botswana. By the afternoon, conditions became partly cloudy and warm, with scattered thundershowers expected in several areas.
The MSD advises residents to stay prepared for possible heavy rain and thunderstorms, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant during this period of unsettled weather.
Tragically, since the start of the 2024/25 rainy season, 40 people have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents, including seven minors who drowned. The CPU reports that a total of 901 households have been affected, with Midlands province recording the highest figure of 439, followed by Manicaland province with 189. The current weather system poses a significant threat, and residents are urged to heed the warnings and take all necessary precautions.
