Zororai Nkomo
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned that Zimbabwe is increasingly vulnerable to the impact of weather-related disasters in the upcoming 2020/21 rainfall season.
WMO director for Africa region, Amos Makarau told Business Times that although Zimbabwe is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall in the 2020/21 season, there is a highly likelihood of devastating weather related disasters due to climate change.
The former director of Zimbabwe‘s Meteorological Services Department said there was need for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to put aside more resources for potential weather-related disasters in the upcoming rainfall season.
“The outlook implies more resources to be set aside for potential disasters and associated impacts particularly from January to March 2021,” Makarau said.
He added: “More rains imply increased potential for malaria incidences, fertile environment for agricultural pests such as fall army worm, breeding of locusts and proliferation of ticks.”
Makarau told Business Times that Zimbabwe will not be spared from extreme temperatures likely to be experienced across the world next month, increasing the likelihood of weather related natural disasters.
“The global increase in temperatures will not spare Zimbabwe. October is not only climatologically the hottest month, but, has now become one of the devastating months. The hot weather is conducive for veld fires and ultra violet radiation. The month (October) is now usually associated with violent weather, particularly tornado -like strong winds and hail which are usually experienced in areas like Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central Masvingo Province” Makarau said.
The warning came after Zimbabwe, last year experienced a devastating climate disaster in the form of Cyclone Idai, which ravaged the eastern part of the country, leaving a trail of massive destruction.
