Zimbabwe and natural disasters

Zimbabwe and natural disasters. Natural disasters are abrupt, catastrophic occurrences brought on by the natural world that produce substantial property destruction, environmental harm, or fatalities. They are not chance occurrences but rather natural earth processes, such as extreme weather or tectonic movements, that turn into catastrophes when they come into contact with human populations.

ZIMBABWE AND NATURAL DISASTERS

The biggest hazards to human life and the economy in Zimbabwe are climate-related natural disasters, particularly severe floods and frequent droughts. Infrastructure and agriculture continue to be severely damaged by extreme weather events such flash floods, strong seasonal rains, and tropical cyclones, most notably Cyclone Idai in 2019.

Zimbabwe Government said yesterday that they are getting ready for any cyclone;

In the speech of Nathan Nkomo, The Director of Civil Protection Department to NewsDay, said that the tropical storms were full of surprises since they are a natural phenomena, hence the need to prepare.

“Given the time we are in at the moment, we are in the rainfall season and we remain activated.
What we only need to do because of the Cyclone Alvaro is to escalate our preparedness to a greater level now given that we are at the peak of the cyclone period,” he said.

“l have talked (to) the meteorological department and they said the trajectory is going eastwards towards Madagascar, but we cannot take chances.

“It’s a natural phenomenon. Look at what Cyclone Freddy did to Malawi, destroying unexpectedly. The way Cyclone Alvaro is going might not be the final one,” Nkomo said.

Zimbabwe and natural disasters

Meteorological Services Department director Rebecca Manzou said they were also monitoring the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation and we will issue a statement on the issue,” she said.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet) on the other hand said Zimbabwe faces the risk of landslides given the current on-going rains.

Forecast;

“Flooding is ongoing in north western and southern Angola.
“Next week, heavy and above-average rainfall is forecast in northern and southern Africa, including northern Angola, Zambia, Malawi, northern Zimbabwe, northern Mozambique, Madagascar, central South Africa and Lesotho.”

Heavy rains which have hit Zimbabwe so far have left a trail of destruction in Harare’s Budiriro 5B Extension and paddocks area of Kuwadzana.

Zimbabwe and natural disasters

Above 100 people were left homeless. Also, More than 1 529 families were affected countrywide, while 98 schools and 11 clinics were also damaged.

Zimbabwe sets for Cyclone, As several cyclonic storms have hit Zimbabwe in recent years with Cyclone Idai leaving a trail of destruction after killing an estimated 600 people in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts in Manicaland province.

Summary

As the tropical storm developed off the coast of Mozambique near Beira and moved toward Madagascar, where it has since made landfall, Zimbabwe is prepared for Cyclone. However, there are many concerns that it might turn around and return to the coast of Mozambique.