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MOST parts of the country have received heavy rains with some areas recording above 80mm in 24 hours hence the need for people to take floods warnings issued by the Meteorological Department seriously. Following a prolonged dry spell, a cloud system that was recently over Botswana and South Africa, moved into the country on Monday through the Matabeleland provinces, triggering heavy rains which have been accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.

The Met Department has warned of potential flash floods, particularly in low lying areas and people in flood prone areas such as Tsholotsho, Nyamandlovu, Kezi, parts of Bulilima and Mangwe. People in these localities should heed the warning and take the necessary precautions to avert disasters.

During heavy downpours accompanied by strong winds and hail, buildings, human beings and livestock are at risk and we implore people to avoid sheltering under trees during thunderstorms as there is a danger of being struck by lightning. In rural communities, children who travel long distances to school should be told to stay put at their schools and avoid walking home during heavy rains.

In cities and towns, motorists should also refrain from parking their vehicles under big and old trees as they may give in and fall, damaging their cars. There is also a danger of electricity poles falling over, heightening the risk of electrocution. Motorists should also exercise caution when driving on poorly maintained roads.

The Met Department reported yesterday that heavy rains of 87mm were recorded in Chisumbanje and 98mm in Mutare. “Marondera received 50mm, Chiredzi 43mm, Plumtree 32mm and Zaka 27mm. Other areas recorded included Gweru 25mm, Joshua Nkomo Mqabuko Airport 24mm, Harare 21mm, Mount Darwin 19mm and Victoria Falls 14mm,” MSD senior forecaster Tich Zinyemba said, adding that most parts of the country would continue to receive rains until today.

We reported yesterday how heavy rains accompanied by strong winds left a trail of destruction in Victoria Falls on Monday. Trees were uprooted while bill-boards and pre-cast walls were destroyed. Some motorists’ cars were damaged by falling trees. Chinotimba and Mkhosana suburbs were plunged into darkness when trees fell on Zesa power lines and power had not been restored by Tuesday.

A pensioner, Oliver Zarura, said he survived death by a whisker when a huge tree fell onto his car while he was inside at the entrance of Zambezi Traders premises where he was parked. “I had just parked in front of Zambezi Traders when it started raining and I thought I could sit in the car.

Suddenly there was a storm and I heard a loud bang as a tree at the gate of the premises fell on the car. Lucky enough it missed the front and I could have died on the spot,” said Zarura, a retired United Tour Company employee.

An unidentified man also had his car destroyed by a tree that fell on it when he had parked on the streets of Chinotimba suburb. A Chinotimba family had the roof of their house destroyed when a tree fell on it while some property was also destroyed at two tour operating companies, Wild Horizons and Adventure Zone.

We commiserate with the motorists and families that lost property and urge authorities and other well wishers to assist them to get back on their feet. In the same vein, we urge Civil Protection Units in all the country’s provinces to be on alert to respond swiftly to emergencies.

The MSD has predicted a normal to below rainfall season for the 2015/16 season and this is not conducive for crop production. Thus many farmers, particularly in the drier Matabeleland region, have been advised to grow short season varieties and small grains that are more tolerant to drought.

We call on them to heed the wise counsel from the MSD. The department has also resorted to cloud seeding to enhance rainfall activity and we implore them to continue doing so. The rains are expected to end in February in northern parts and early March in southern parts of the country, capping a short rainy season that does not bode well for farming.

Residents of cities such as Bulawayo are therefore urged to use water sparingly as the supply dams will have very little inflows this year.