Zimbabwe sets for Cyclone

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

Zimbabwe get set for Cyclone, As the tropical storm formed off the Mozambican coast near Beira and headed towards Madagascar where it has since made landfall. But fears abound it may make a U-turn heading back for the Mozambiquean coast.

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.

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.

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.

Cyclone Idai also affected Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces.

stay tuned for more updates