Zimbabwe is on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Alvaro threatens to bring heavy rains and strong winds to parts of the country. The storm, which formed off the coast of Mozambique near Beira, has already made landfall in Madagascar and is expected to turn back towards the Mozambican coast in the next few days.
According to the Civil Protection Department (CPD) director Nathan Nkomo, the government has escalated its preparedness to deal with the potential impact of the cyclone. He told NewsDay that tropical storms are unpredictable and require constant monitoring and readiness.
“Given the time we are in at the moment, we are in the rainfall season and we remain activated. What we only need to do because of Cyclone Alvaro is to escalate our preparedness to a greater level now given that we are at the peak of the cyclone period,” he said.
Nkomo added that he had consulted the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) and they had confirmed that the cyclone was moving eastwards towards Madagascar, but cautioned that it could change course at any time.
“It’s a natural phenomenon. Look at what Cyclone Freddy did to Malawi, destroying it unexpectedly. The way Cyclone Alvaro is going might not be the final one,” he said.
The MSD director Rebecca Manzou said they were also keeping a close eye on the situation and would issue regular updates and warnings to the public.
“We are monitoring the situation and we will issue a statement on the issue,” she said.
Cyclone Alvaro is the fourth tropical storm to form in the South Indian Ocean this season, following Cyclone Ana, Cyclone Bongoyo, and Cyclone Chalane. The latter affected parts of Zimbabwe in late December, causing flash floods and displacing hundreds of people.
Zimbabwe is still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, which hit the country in March 2019, killing over 600 people and displacing thousands more. The cyclone also damaged infrastructure, crops, and livestock in Manicaland, Masvingo, and Mashonaland East provinces.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet) has warned that Zimbabwe faces the risk of landslides due to the ongoing rains. It also said that heavy rainfall is forecast in eastern southern Africa, increasing the risks of flooding across south-eastern Zambia, northern Zimbabwe, western Mozambique, and central Madagascar.
The CPD has urged people to stay alert and follow the advice of local authorities in case of emergencies. It has also advised people to avoid crossing flooded rivers, driving on wet roads, and staying in low-lying areas.
Nkomo said the CPD was working with various stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the United Nations agencies, and the local government, to coordinate the response and provide assistance to those in need.
He also expressed hope that the cyclone would not cause much damage and that the country would overcome the challenge.
“We are a resilient nation. We have faced worse situations before and we have survived. We will do it again,” he said.
Source: Newsday
