POSSIBLE natural disasters due to heavy rains and flooding loom, Civil Protection Unit Zimbabwe has warned.
This follows heavy rains that pounded some parts of the country on Sunday evening with Harare receiving the most rains recorded over a 24-hour period.
Statistics from the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe yesterday showed that Crowborough in Harare recorded 110 millimeters followed by other Harare centres like Ashdown Park (89,9mm), Royal Golf Club (88mm) and Belvedere (82,8 mm).
In most parts of Harare it rained for a good 10 hours between Sunday evening and yesterday morning.
With 59,1 millimeters, Karoi had the highest rainfall outside of Harare according to the Met Department statistics.
In an interview with H-Metro yesterday following incidents of property damages, lighting and marooned villagers, the Director of the Department of Civil Protection Zimbabwe Nathan Nkomo said the heavy downfall has already marooned over 30 villagers in Gokwe and Mberengwa.
“The heavy downfall that has been experienced in many parts of the country has seen over 30 villagers marooned in Gokwe North Umwe River and Ngezi River in Mberengwa.
“The air force is already in the process of assisting the people affected and we urge people who are settled in stream banks to be highly cautious.
“We urge people not to cross flooded rivers or bridges and be very cautious in avoiding lightning which has already claimed lives.
“During this time when the schools are closed, we urge parents and guardians to make sure children are far from such flooding areas,” he said.
Nkomo urged local authorities across the country to clear drainage systems while raising concern over the flooding in Harare.
“There is a serious challenge in Harare that needs urgent attention.
“Authorities need to clear bridges and drainages especially during the rainy season.
“We are seeing drainages blocked by liter everywhere in Harare of which authorities should take swift action.”
The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe yesterday issued a heavy rain forecast warning and advised people to keep in doors.
MSDZ Chief Forecaster James Ngoma said:
“Heavy rains are going to persist across the country into Tuesday; the day we will experience a drying wind covering part of the Matabeleland area to Masvingo province,
“We expect this wet spell to Tuesday (today).
“Isolated afternoon and evening thundershowers are expected in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Mashonaland West and Midlands’s provinces.”
H METRO