Mutare (New Ziana) – The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said tropical storm Freddy’s prolonged anchor in southern Mozambique had weakened it into a Low-Pressure Zone which will now mostly bring light, isolated rains to Zimbabwe.

Earlier, the storm had been predicted to bring heavy rains and strong winds to at least five provinces of the country, with possible loss of life and widespread damage to property expected.

But the MSD said the storm’s long anchor in Mozambique had weakened it to a point it was now mostly expected to bring light showers only to parts of southern and eastern Zimbabwe.

“Tropical Cyclone Freddy had become a low pressure zone. Its prolonged stay on land (off the south east coast of Mozambique) depleted its energy which caused substantial weakening. Because of its location, the country as a whole has enjoyed mostly sunny conditions,” the MSD said in a statement.

But it said in some areas, despite the weakening of the storm, heavy rains, strong winds and possible flooding were still expected, mostly in the south and east of Zimbabwe.

It, therefore, reiterated calls for the public to continue taking precautions, including checking weather forecasts, and moving to higher ground and emergency evacuation centres.

“Windy conditions may blow off rooftops and loose debris as well as break tree branches. Heavy rains and flooded rivers remain a potential hazard even if it has not rained heavily in the area, heavy rains may have occurred upstream,” the MSD said.

Five provinces – Manicaland, Masvingo, Harare Metropolitican, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central – were predicted to be impacted by tropical storm Freddy.

New Ziana