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Zimbabwe weather experts warn of extremely high temperatures

Xinhua, October 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Weather experts have warned of extremely hot weather throughout the country on Saturday and Sunday, with near record temperatures ranging from 35 and 42 degrees Celsius.

Head of public weather services at the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) Tich Zinyemba confirmed to Xinhua Friday that the country would experience extreme weather conditions and urged members of the public to protect themselves from the heat.

"Yes we issued an advisory yesterday indicating that we will get very high temperatures," he said.

The advisory urged the public to drink lots of fluids (particularly water), avoid prolonged stay in the sun and outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and to protect themselves from the sun by using umbrellas and wide brimmed hats.

The danger was also extremely high for runaway fires, the MSD further warned.

Zimbabwe recorded the highest temperature of 43 degrees Celsius in West Nicholson, Matabeleland South, in February this year.

The department also said while the high temperatures persisted, a cloud band which could trigger violent storms was expected to enter the western and southern areas of the country from Sunday.

"This should cover much of the country by next Tuesday (18 October). If the expected weather patterns behave as predicted, then the ensuing rains should be significant over the whole country.

"This may signal the start of the 2016/17 rainfall season for Matabeleland North and South, Midlands as well as Masvingo provinces," the department said.

Weather experts had already forecasted that the usually four dry provinces in southern Zimbabwe would have an earlier rainy season than the rest of the country.

Zimbabwe is emerging from a devastating El Nino induced drought and many people are looking forward to a wet season in which pastures are renewed and water bodies replenished. Endit