Following an alert issued by Meteorological Service Department on the 22nd of December relating a surging Chalane tropical depression, the government of Zimbabwe has alerted members of the public of the likely weather phenomenon.
In a Press Conference held at Munhumutapa in Harare during the evening of Wednesday 30 December 2020, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the tropical depression was expected to sweep across Zimbabwe from the late hours of 30 December 2020 to the 1st of January 2021.
“Latest weather reports indicate that Chalane has now reduced intensity into an overland tropical depression.
Tropical depression Chalane is projected to sweep across Zimbabwe from today, 30 December 2020, to 01 January 2020, causing continuous rainfall and possible flooding in most parts of the country.”
While Charlene has reduced to a mere tropical depression, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana indicated via his micro blogging Twitter handle that Chalane Depression was expected hit some areas of Bulawayo.
(@nickmangwana) “Bulawayo Effects of #Chalane are expected to be experienced in Bulawayo from around 2200 hrs tonight. High Arlert areas are: Makokoba, Cowray Park, Pumula South, Pumula Old, Emthunzini, Emasotsheni, Nketa 9, Waterford, Bella vista, Queenspark”
The tropical depression is expected to affect some parts of the country that include
Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mutare, Gutu, Buhera and Bikita. The named areas are projected to receive above 100mm of rain within the next three(3) days.
This will see the rest of the country anticipated to receive rainfall between 50-100mm during the same period.
The tropical storm has already made a landfall in some parts of Mozambique with the effects already extending towards the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe.
According to the Government, measures have been already put in place to mitigate the effects of tropical depression Chalane.
This includes the identification of equipped evacuation centers with resilient infrastructure. This will have provisions of accommodation facilities such as tents, blankets, food items, toiletries and other essentials.
