Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Meteorological Service Department (MSD) said that Tropical Storm Eloise had strengthened into a cyclone by Friday night but its trajectory in the country remained the same.
The cyclone’s cloud band radius is estimated at around 500km and rains in excess of 50mm within 24 hours are expected.
In a statement last night, MSD head of forecast James Ngoma said the tropical system intensified upon reaching the Mozambican Channel on Thursday.
Tropical Cyclone Eloise is expected to bring continuous heavy and destructive rain in Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland tomorrow. Said Ngoma:
As we get into this (last) evening we are expecting light rainfalls to begin over the eastern highlands and spread to the rest of the country as we get into the weekend.
However, in terms of heavier downpours, we are projecting to experience them in the southern parts of Manicaland and in Masvingo Province as well as parts of Matabeleland South.
That is where we are expecting rains in excess of 50mm within 24 hours. Therefore, we are advising the general public to be aware of these heavy downpours.
Ngoma advised members of the public to take precautionary measures such as desisting from crossing flooded rivers, securing rooftops and to avoid driving at night. He said:
We also warn members of the public that even if the rains do not occur in their areas it could occur upstream therefore, the public is still advised not to cross flooded rivers and also there is a potential of strong winds and we advise that rooftops can be blown off and we advise that members of the public should try and secure rooftops as much as possible. Also, there might be trees that may fall, so it’s advisable not to be driving during this period.
Tropical Cyclone Eloise is expected to affect Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
