Manicaland Correspondent
THE Meteorological Services Department has assured the nation that it is well-equipped with modern technology to detect any threats of extreme weather patterns.

Manicaland provincial meteorological officer Mr Lucas Murambi said this recently at the handover of communication radios to Makoni District Civil Protection Unit.

He said the radios would be used in communicating imminent whether disasters such as frost, floods and heat waves.

“In Manicaland Province, we have handed over 50 communication radios to all the seven district civil protection units,” he said.

“The purpose of these radios is for communicating impending extreme weather patterns to relevant authorities.

“For instance, if the Met Department detects that there will be severe frost to be experienced in Makoni, a message is recorded and sent only to those in Makoni District via these radios and relevant Government departments such as Agritex to take action. This radio system is very effective, as it enables us to alert authorities and communities of impending weather disasters such as frost, floods, heat wave and storms.

“As long as we predict or detect anything, we alert people so that they are prepared or that they are evacuated to avoid the disasters.”

Mr Murambi said due to rapid climatic changes, weather disasters were now more intense and violent hence the need to be more prepared for such calamities.

“The Meteorological (Services) Department is constantly upgrading its equipment so that we are able to detect all weather patterns well in advance and also our staff is very able and experienced. Our weather forecasts are accurate and people should continue to listen to them,” he said.

The district civil protection unit comprises various Government departments and ministries such the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army, Agritex, Environmental Management Agency, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and local authorities.

Makoni District Civil Protection Unit chairman Mr Darlington Museka said the radios would made it easy for them to communicate in the district should there be any impending extreme weather patterns.

“We are glad that we have received these radios, which will make communication before and during disasters very easy,” he said.

“Sometimes people are affected by floods just because there was no prior warnings delivered to them.”