Met forecasts continued heavy rains, more damage

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has forecast continued heavy rains characterised by lightning, thunder and strong winds in most parts of the country.

In a weather update released on Wednesday and covering Tuesday to Friday, DCCMS says the heavy rains will continue in all parts of the country this week, but will ease down over the Southern Region.

Reads in part the statement: “There are indications that the rains are expected to ease down over the southern parts of the country while some areas in the Centre and most areas in the North will continue to receive heavy rainfall because of the gradual northward shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone [ITCZ] into central parts of the country and progressively moving into the northern areas.”

It adds that during the week, generally warm to hot weather conditions are expected across the country during day time and the locally heavy rains are expected to be accompanied with lightning, thunder and strong winds.

“These rains are also likely to trigger flash floods in flood-prone areas over the North. The strong winds are likely to cause damages to weak infrastructure such as ripping off roofs from buildings, lightning strikes and hail stones,” adds the statement.

Meanwhile, the department has warned the public to take precautionary measures such as being indoors whenever thunderstorms occur to avoid being struck by lightning, ensure that buildings are strong to withstand gusty winds associated with thunderstorms and avoid crossing swelling rivers.