Heavy rain hits parts of Zimbabwe, breaks 42-year-old record, 60 gold miners feared dead
Image credit: africanews
Heavy rain hit parts of Zimbabwe on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12 and 13, 2019, causing floods in which up to 60 illegal gold miners are feared to have lost their lives.
The miners were trapped overnight Wednesday after a dam burst flooded two disused shafts in a mining town of Battlefields, 145 km (90 miles) southwest of capital Harare. Only 8 people have been rescued so far.
8 people rescued so far at silver moon and cricket mines which was declared a national disaster by gvt @ZBCNewsonline pic.twitter.com/KFpu1AkaUz
— meritzbc (@meritmunzwe) February 16, 2019
The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe (MSD), said 203 mm (7.99 inches) of rain was recorded February 13 in the small town of Chiredzi, Masvingo province, breaking its 42-year-old daily rainfall record (98 mm / 3.85 inches set in 1977).
Mukadzi received 126 mm (4.96 inches) of rain during the same period, 75 mm (2.95 inches) at Beitbridge, 73 mm (2.87 inches) and 70 mm (2.75 inches) in Zaka.
MSD warned heavy rain was expected countrywide on February 14, resulting in possible flash flooding and infrastructural damage.
Although Zimbabwe has rich platinum, diamond, gold, coal and copper deposits, it's in the grip of a deep economic crisis.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.