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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter

Zimbabwe is expected to experience a prolonged wet spell with a likelihood of violent storms and heavy falls of 50 millimetres and above within 24 hours starting today, the Meteorological Services Department has said.

The bulk of the rainfall will be received in areas along and to the north of the main watershed, Matabeleland North, Midlands, all Mashonaland provinces, Harare and northern areas of Manicaland Province.

The department said because of the prolonged wet spell, some areas could experience flash flooding if they continued to receive heavy falls and river flooding was highly probable.

However, the rainfall distribution was not going to be uniform.

Some parts of the country have been receiving isolated rains, bringing relief to farmers who were beginning to count their losses as their crops had started wilting.

In some areas, especially the southern provinces, pastures were also succumbing to hot and dry conditions, while livestock were having challenges with drinking water.

In an advisory yesterday, the Met Department said from today to next Wednesday, localised heavy downpours greater than 50mm in 24hours were highly likely and the storms could be violent in some places.

“The MSD wishes to advise the public of the probability of a continued wet spell in most parts of the country from Friday 7 through to Wednesday 12 February 2020.

“On Thursday 6 February 2020, most areas in the country are expected to have scattered thunderstorms. Rainfall is likely to intensify from Friday 7 to Wednesday 12 February 2020, however the spatial distribution maybe variable across the country,” reads the statement.

The department warned the public against crossing flooded rivers and advised motorists to avoid parking vehicles under trees.

“The public should stay indoors during thunderstorms and never take shelter in isolated sheds or under trees. The department will keep the nation updated as the weather conditions continue to unfold,” said the MSD.