Harare — Zimbabwe is expected to witness an increase in rainfall activity as the week progresses with Masvingo, Manicaland and the north-eastern parts of the country getting the heaviest falls.

Downfalls of more than 50 millimetres per day are anticipated in most parts although rainfall is expected to ease by next week.

The Meteorological Services Department said yesterday the heavy falls had characterised most parts of the country with notable falls being recorded in Harare with 75mm, Banket 64mm and Karoi 64mm, Wedza 51mm, Kariba 28mm and Kadoma getting 14mm.

The spread of rainfall clearly shows that rains were beginning to shift to the northern parts of the country although significant heavy falls were still being received in the southern parts.

"Heavy falls occurred at the beginning of last week that saw widespread precipitation across the country. As the week progressed the skies cleared although light rains picked up on Sunday.

"Wet conditions are, however, expected to continue across Zimbabwe until Saturday this week. Falls exceeding 50mm within 24 hours are expected on December 1 in Masvingo. On December 2, heavy falls exceeding 50mm are expected over Manicaland with the same amounts expected in the north-eastern parts of the country," read the statement from the Met offices. The department, however, said there were still chances of the country experiencing flash floods in some areas and urged people to remain alert.

Last week the department issued a flood warning and advised people in low-lying areas to be on lookout of possible flooding.

Civil Protection Unit deputy director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the unit was monitoring weather development in the country but had not heard any adverse reports from the provinces.

Last week the Met Department warned of flash flooding in some areas as the country continues to receive heavy rains in some parts of the country. As the season has grown the rainfall activity has intensified in the northern parts of the country raising fears of flooding in the perennial problem areas around Muzarabani, Middle Sabi, Tsholotsho and Chipinge. This year, the CPU borrowed communication equipment from the International Telecommunications Union to be used in relaying of information from cholera and flood-prone areas in the country.

Southern African countries have experienced unpredictable weather in the past few years that has been blamed on the effects of climate change. Climate change has seen most countries in the region being affected by frequent droughts and floods that have left a trail of destruction.