Harare — THE current wet spell will continue in most parts of the country into next week with some areas under threat of flash floods, the Department of Meteorological Services has warned.

Principal meteorologist Mr Hector Chikoore said yesterday the rains - which are a result of an organised cloud band which stretches from as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, into the Indian Ocean - is expected to produce heavy thunderstorms in northern parts of the country.

"There is a slight chance of severe thunderstorms, which could bring torrential rainfall that would result in flash floods in parts of Harare and Mutare and their surrounding areas.

"The current wet spell started in the first week of December and since then, most areas have received significant amounts of rainfall with Harare and the Lowveld recording the highest falls.

"We are expecting the current wet spell to persist into next week while localised heavy rainfall will be expected in most parts of the country with some areas being affected by localised flash floods," he said.

The weather expert said the cloud band had not moved and more rains were forecast countrywide.

Mr Chikoore said the past seven days had seen most parts of Zimbabwe recording more than 100mm of rainfall.

Harare and Masvingo have the highest cumulative rainfall totals, recording 170mm and 130mm respectively. Kadoma received 118mm during the past week.

"Most areas have recorded more rainfall than what they receive during the same period of the year. In Harare we expect a seasonal rainfall of 800mm but Harare has already recorded almost a quarter of the total in only seven days.

"The amounts show that most areas will surpass their seasonal rainfall expectations with one notable area being the Lowveld which does not usually record high amounts of rainfall," Mr Chikoore said.

Rainfall amounts of up to 50mm are expected countrywide within the next 24 hours.