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Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
Different parts of the country will experience high temperatures of between 35 and 45 degrees celsius starting today until next weekend, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) warned yesterday.

Low-lying areas such as Kariba, Chiredzi, Binga and Beitbridge would be the most affected.

“Daytime temperatures over the country are expected to range between 35 degrees celsius and 43 degrees celsius, peaking to as high as 45 degrees celsius in low lying areas. Places like Kariba, Beitbridge, Chiredzi and Binga are likely to suffer the most.

“The temperatures are expected to reduce slightly in the Lowveld (by 2 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius) on Monday, but thereafter should increase again from Friday next week,” read the MSD statement.

MSD senior forecaster, Mr Tich Zinyemba, said the department issued warnings whenever temperatures broke the average levels.

“We expect that the temperatures will increase from Saturday and Sunday, but this is not a heat wave. It will only become a heat wave if the heat is experienced for three consecutive days.

“We have low pressures affecting the whole of Southern Africa and these pressures have a tendency of drawing warm tropical airflow. Temperatures become high. The current dry conditions also worsen the situation,” he said.

Mr Zinyemba said the department had not started comparing the temperatures to previous years.

The department advised members of the public to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from these adverse weather conditions.

These include among others, drinking lots of fluids, avoiding prolonged stay in the sun, if possible staying under the shade.

“People should protect themselves from the sun by wearing wide-brimmed hats or using umbrellas.

“In addition the windy and dry conditions are conducive for forest fires. The fire warning is still in place,” said MSD.

The MSD said it would continue monitoring the conditions and update the public accordingly.