Govt warns tropical cyclone, Freddy, expected to hit parts of Zambia, asks citizens to beware

Government has issued an alert on the tropical cyclone expected to affect some parts of Zambia, leading to waterlogging and localised flooding between February 22 and 28, 2023.

Episodes of light to moderate rainfall are expected to affect parts of Northwestern, Eastern, Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka, Southern, Muchinga, Northern and Luapula Provinces, leading to waterlogging and localised flooding due to saturated soil moisture during the period February 22 to 28, 2023.

Green Economy and Environment Minister, Collins Nzovu said the tropical Cyclone Freddy would diminish into a storm after making landfall over Mozambique.

Nzovu explained that this will tend to enhance rainfall over Zambia from February 26, 2023 which may lead to further waterlogging and flooding in prone areas.

“In the next 24 to 72 hours, Tropical Cyclone Freddy is expected to make landfall over Madagascar by Tuesday evening and on coastal Mozambique by Friday morning.

“Cyclone Freddy may indirectly induce episodes of light to moderate rainfall over parts of Northwestern, Copperbelt, Central, Lusaka, Eastern and Southern Provinces as it traverses over Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa from February 22 to 28, 2023,” he said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The minister urged people from areas which would be affected to consider moving away from low laying areas to uplands until the rainfall season or floods are over.

The people have also been urged to ensure drainages around their dwelling places were clear of debris, avoid driving in flooded roads or in heavy rains due to poor visibility.

Nzovu also stated that need to avoid crossing flooded points and bridges while ensuring that children did not play in flood water to avoid drowning and contracting water borne diseases.

“The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment at the Zambia Meteorological Department will continue updating the nation on the trajectory and likely impacts of Cyclone Freddy across the country and will be issuing advisories in collaboration with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit and Water Resource Management Authority to the general public accordingly through the media,” he said.

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