Sinokubonga Nkala
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
BULAWAYO and Matabeleland South are among the six provinces that are likely to be affected by Cyclone Chido which made landfall in the Mozambican channel yesterday with its impact on Zimbabwe expected on Thursday.
Government is already preparing for the cyclone with the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) stating that US$1,6 million is required to handle the possible adverse effects of the weather event.
Other provinces forecast to be affected by Cyclone Chido include Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland.
The storm was named by a Zimbabwean.
While Cyclone Chido has had devastating effects in Madagascar, Comoros, Mozambique and Malawi, its intensity is unlikely to be severe in Zimbabwe, but will be accompanied by considerable rains and strong winds, the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has warned.
CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo, said working closely with Mozambique weather services, the country is monitoring the movement trajectory of Cyclone Chido.
“We continue to monitor the situation using MSD and the briefing from the Climate Change Centre in Mozambique. We have already extracted a budget specifically for Cyclone Chido and we will be going out to seek US$1,6 million for response,” he said.
“I think we can start making noise about it. This budget will cover issues to do with coordination, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), even our refugees, gender-based violence issues, accommodation among other related issues.”
Mr Nkomo urged citizens to seek information from authorities and avoid putting themselves at risk.
In its daily weather update, MSD said Cyclone Chido made its landfall in Mozambique and continues to weaken as it approaches Zimbabwe.
MSD said while Zimbabwe is likely to feel the impact of the cyclone on Thursday, the country is already receiving heavy rains due to moisture from the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone whose cloud band is coming from Botswana in the west.
The country started receiving heavy rains on Saturday following a two-week dry spell coupled with a heat wave triggering drought anxiety among citizens.
However, the rains have renewed hopes among citizens again.
“The residual moisture from Chido is expected to drift southward along Zimbabwe’s border from Monday, December 16, 2024, reaching the south-eastern Gonarezhou, Chiredzi areas by Thursday 19, with its last effects being felt on Friday and Saturday over the Limpopo Valley. “Zimbabwe is currently having widespread thunderstorms, due to moisture from the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone and the cloud band coming from Botswana in the west,” reads MSD statement.
MSD warned that from tomorrow, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, southern parts of Matabeleland North, Midlands and Masvingo will until Thursday receive heavy rains due to the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone weather system.
“These heavy rains are coming after a period of very hot daytime conditions; thus, these storms should be coupled with lightning, strong winds and hailstorms,” reads the statement.
MSD said Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan and southern parts of Midlands will be considered areas of concern when the cyclone reaches the country.
MSD said since the start of the rainy season most parts of the country have received normal to below normal rains with Beitbridge in Matabeleland South and Hwange in Matabeleland North receiving the least rainfall.
“Much of the country has received more than 50mm of rainfall since the beginning of the season, with only a few places having beyond 150mm. Areas that have received the least include Beitbridge District and northern parts of Hwange District,” notes the statement.
“Compared to the long-term average, almost 59 percent of the country has received rainfall in normal-to-below-normal range, with 32 percent in the normal, and 8 percent exceeding the normal for the period of 01 October to date.”
MSD said the country this year received more rainfall than last year. — @nqotshili
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
