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Heavy rains pound Matabeleland region

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HEAVY rains yesterday pounded three Matabeleland provinces with Bulawayo recording the heaviest downpour when compared to the same period last year.

HEAVY rains yesterday pounded three Matabeleland provinces with Bulawayo recording the heaviest downpour when compared to the same period last year.

Report by Pamela Mhlanga Own correspondent

The rains came amid fears of a serious drought with Bulawayo facing acute water shortages because of delays in the onset of the rainy season.

In an interview with NewsDay yesterday, head of the Aviation Weather Focus at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport’s Meteorological Department, Rodgers Munyira, said the amount of rainfall recorded in Matabeleland and Bulawayo was high.

“From 8am yesterday to 8am today, the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport office received the highest amount at 54,8mm as compared to 45,2mm last year in January,” he said.

“The Kumalo office received 34,6mm, Lupane 5,8mm, Plumtree 10,5mm, Kezi 17,1mm and Matobo 16,5mm.”

“On Thursday (tomorrow), there will be slight drizzling and the rain will rebuild again after four days.”

Munyira, however, said he had not yet received statistics from Harare’s Meteorological Department concerning the amount of rainfall that was received countrywide as the telegraph railway line for communication was down.

He said people should expect more substantial rainfall countrywide up to the time when the rainy season ends in April.

Agritex Matabeleland North provincial agronomist Davison Masendeke yesterday advised people in Matabeleland to focus on growing early-maturing small grains such as sorghum, cow peas, and sugar beans.

“These rains came too late to start growing maize crops,” he said.

“Though the rains are expected to end around April, anything can happen and that may not be the case.”

Meanwhile, in Masvingo heavy rains continued to pound most parts of the province, making rivers with low bridges impassable, especially in Masvingo South.

Two weeks ago, four people drowned in Chiredzi as they tried to cross a flooded Runde River at Chilonga Bridge using a tractor.

The tractor was washed away. In some areas, the heavy rains reportedly washed away crops.

‘Montrose had highest rainfall’

MUNYIRA also said out of all the four sub-stations in Bulawayo that were recorded by the Meteorological Department, Montrose had the highest with 89,5mm, Luveve 58 mm, Ingutsheni 51,5mm and Criteria Water Works 45,5mm.

“Bulawayo will experience this kind of atmosphere until Wednesday (today),” he said.