The Zimbabwe government has been forced to slightly delay opening of boarding schools in two provinces amid fears of potential flooding in the areas due to torrential rainfall expected between Friday and Sunday.According to the Meteorological Services Department and the Civil Protection Unit, heavy rains in excess of 65mm in 24 hours are expected in Mashonaland, Manicaland, parts of Midlands and Masvingo provinces over the next three days. 

This is expected to result in localised flooding in low-lying areas and reduced visibility for motorists, they warned.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education responded late Thursday by urging boarding school pupils in the worst-hit provinces of Manicaland and Masvingo to avoid travelling back to school over the weekend.

Zimbabwe’s schools are expected to open on 9 January, with boarding school pupils initially expected to travel on January 7 and 8.

“The Civil Protection Unit has alerted of potential imminent excess rainfall and storms between 6 and 8 January 2023, particularly in Manicaland Province: Mutare rural, Chimanimani, Chipinge, (and) Buhera, and in Masvingo Province: Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Gutu, Bikita and Zaka districts,” ministry permanent secretary Tumisang Thabela said.

She added: “In view of this warning, boarding pupils are advised to travel after these dates. Be guided accordingly.”

The two provinces were worst-hit by Cyclone Idai that devastated Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in March 2019 and claimed thousands of lives in the three countries.