The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
WHILE there was expectation that Tropical Storm Freddy would bring heavy rain and strong winds that could cause damage and put lives in danger, it lost its energy after weakening into a Low-Pressure Zone when it made landfall in Mozambique and by the time the remnants entered Zimbabwe there was nothing much left, with Chipinge recording the highest rainfall of just 13mm and winds blowing off roofs on huts, a homestead and a teachers’ house.
Significant showers and winds were experienced in Chipinge District and some others parts of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces as people feared for the worst after heavy rainfall had been forecast.
However, they did not intensify and continued subduing. Zimbabwe had been on high alert for Tropical Strom Freddy, which has since weakened and no longer poses danger to lives and infrastructure.
The slightly stronger winds left a house in Ward 23 of Chipinge District partially damaged, while a teachers’ house at Chichichi Primary School had four asbestos sheets ripped off. No casualties were reported.
Secretary for Manicaland Provincial affairs and Devolution Mr Edgars Seenza confirmed the showers and winds in the province, saying no major damages were recorded.
“I went around Manicaland checking the situation. Some parts of the province such as Chimanimani, Hot Springs and Chipinge received some meaningful showers. A few huts and some school buildings were affected by the strong winds and we shall be sharing detailed and updated information from the command centre,” said Mr Seenza, who is also chairman of the Manicaland Civil Protection Committee.
In an update yesterday, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said cloudy and windy conditions prevailed in the southern part of Manicaland and Midlands provinces as well as the southern provinces namely Matabeleland South and Masvingo.
“Rain and drizzle were recorded in some places although the rainfall amounts were very low, the highest being 13mm recorded at Chipinge Met Office. This was a result of the high-pressure system that set in over the south east of South Africa, steering moisture into the country. All other provinces were mainly partly cloudy and warm, said MSD.
Today the eastern and southern provinces – Manicaland, Mashonaland east, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and southern parts of Midlands – are expected to be mostly cloudy, rainy and mild during most parts of the day.
Thunderstorms have a chance to occur in the afternoon while its should be windy in Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.
