Flood warning as heavy rains pound country
25/11/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
HEAVY rains pounded parts of Zimbabwe on Sunday – including the parched
south – as the Met Services Department issued a nationwide alert for flash
floods, heavy winds and hailstorms.
The Met said the heavy rainfall, brought by a cloud system moving eastwards
from Botswana, would continue until Wednesday night.
“This cloud band will be accompanied by strong violent winds with heavy
falls in excess of 60mm in 24 hours, sometimes accompanied by hail. The wet
spell is expected to last until November 28,” the Met said in a statement on
Sunday.
“Uprooting of trees, flash flooding and destruction of infrastructure cannot
be ruled out with this type of rainfall intensity.”
The Met warned the public against attempting to cross flooded rivers and
bridges on foot or by car.
“People should quickly move to higher ground if they notice that their area
is becoming flooded, and they should not take shelter under trees during a
thunderstorm to avoid being electrocuted.”
Bulawayo, which has been in the grips of a serious water crisis, could ease
a four-day-a-week water rationing schedule after significant inflows to its
supply dams.
The heavy downpour came as the city fathers had called inter-denominational
prayers for Tuesday, November 27, to ask for divine intervention.
The city’s public relations officer Bongiwe Ngwenya says the prayers at the
Large City Hall will still go ahead, starting at 2PM.
“Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend the prayer and
thanks-giving day as we pray for rains in Bulawayo. You are also requested
to also invite members of your congregation and other members of society,”
she said.
Education Minister David Coltart, a resident of Bulawayo, was glad to see
the heavens open up.
He said on Twitter: “Thank you Lord for the wonderful rains in Bulawayo this
afternoon. 26mm at the last count, still drizzling now.”