The Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has revealed that the Tropical Cyclone Chalane is expected to sweep across the country tomorrow after reaching the Mozambican channel.
The tropical storm reached the Mozambique Channel yesterday and is expected to sweep across Zimbabwe tomorrow.
In a statement yesterday, the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) said the storm would have an intensity of Cyclone Dineo which hit the country in 2017.
“Today, Monday December 28, 2020, Tropical Depression Chalane entered warmer water of the Mo zambique Channel where it is expected to re-intensify into a Tropical Storm.
“Similar to Cyclone Dineo, the system should sweep across the country from Wednesday 30 December into the New Year,” read the statement .
According to the statement,rains of more than 50 millimetres (mm) are expected in most parts of the country within 24 hours until New Year’s Day.
“This should give continuous rains over much of the country, with localised heavier downpours (in excess of 50mm in 24 hours) especially over high ground (areas along the main watershed into the Eastern Highlands).”
It said the rains could result in floods while the cyclone’s intensity is expected to start easing towards the weekend.
“Such copious rain from Wednesday 30 December 2020 through to Friday 01 January 2021 may result in reduced visibility during some heavy downpours and flash flooding in areas of poor drainage as well as along river basins; mudslides and slides as well as collapse of walls, due to excessive moisture, remain probable.
These rains should ease off as we get into the weekend,” it said.
Cyclone Dineo killed more than 117 people countrywide leaving thousands others homeless as it destroyed property worth millions of dollars.
Meanwhile,government has activated a disaster response mechanism with a US$30 million budget set aside for the Civil Protection Unit
