Herald Reporter
THE Meteorological Services Depart­ment has warned of predominantly low temperatures of at least minus 6 Degrees Celsius during the night in some parts of Zimbabwe until Mon­day next week. Senior Meteorological Officer Mr Jonathan Chifuna yesterday said

low temperatures will be experienced especially in areas around Marondera, Hwedza and Matopos.

Temperatures started falling on June 5, with the country experiencing an average minimum of minus 9 Degrees Celsius during the day.
“According to our extended weather forecast from 6 to 18 June clear skies should be expected across the country for the entire period with cold to very cold overnight and morning tempera­tures. Air temperatures should fall to below freezing in some places,” Mr Chifuna said.

He said no records were broken although the lowest temperatures were recorded on Monday in Victoria Falls and Matopos with minus 8 and 9 Degrees Celsius respectively.

Mr Chifuna said from June 6 there was rapid clearing and temperatures fell significantly across the country.
He said there will be patchy drizzle in some places and urged the public to put on warm clothes.
“Members of the public are urged to put on warm clothes or take necessary precautions to keep warm. The use of braziers in enclosed places poses a great danger of carbon monoxide poi­soning. Therefore their usage should be monitored,” said Mr Chifuna.

The department urged horticultural farmers to take precautions or seek advice from relevant authorities to safeguard their crops. One of the cold­est winters in recent years was recorded in 2009 when temperatures dropped to -12 degrees Celsius.

There were reports that livestock succumbed to the cold in the Mid­lands, Matebeleland South and Mashonaland East Provinces. Winter crops and trees were also damaged.

Winter has not been favourable to Zimbabweans for the last few years as it has been characterised by low tem­peratures.
The homeless, mainly street children, are vulnerable to cold weather at this time of the year.