Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
RECORD temperatures were recorded in Matabeleland provinces this week, breaking records set 60 years ago. On Wednesday, in Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho recorded 40 degrees Celsius to break the 1993 record of 39,3 degrees Celsius .

Other records tumbled in Bulawayo. Bulawayo’s Joshua Nkomo International Airport recorded 38 degrees Celsius breaking the 37,7 degrees Celsius registered in 1990. Bulawayo Goetz Observatory station also registered 38 degrees, breaking a 37,4 degrees Celsius record for 1990.

In Matabeleland South, Beitbridge recorded 44 degrees Celsius, just below the 44,4 degrees Celsius last recorded in 1941 and 1997.

West Nicholson recorded 42,4 degrees Celsius in 1955, but the record was broken over the weekend when the area registered 42,5 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) yesterday said Matabeleland and Bulawayo provinces are forecast to have recorded temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius by Sunday.

MSD head of Public Weather Service, Tichaona Zinyemba, said during such extreme temperatures people are encouraged to drink more water and pre-cautionary measures should be taken to protect children, while farmers should ensure their animals have adequate water to avoid heat stroke.

“Temperatures for the period November 11 to 15 are expected to remain quite high, ranging between 36 to 43 degrees Celsius in Matabeleland provinces and Bulawayo.

“Thereafter they should come down as a cloud system enters the country through these provinces,” said Zinyemba.

“After Sunday a cloud system is expected to enter the country through Matabeleland provinces and as usual, thunder showers are expected. This activity should be short-lived but there may be some notable falls, in excess of 15mm, in these areas.”

He said the high temperatures are as a result of a low pressure system caused by winds blowing across the country from warmer tropics in the sub-Sahara region.

“This time the temperatures were much higher and quite a number of stations recorded high temperatures than the norm,” he said.

“On farm operations, we advise farmers to consult their local Agritex officials on when or what to plant given that this season’s rainfall is likely to be erratic.”