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The 2016/2017 La Nina season is in contra distinction to the 2015/2016 season characterised by the El Nino phenomenon. In essence, this entails an astounding shift from a drought condition to an excessively wet situation. By mid February 2017, most areas in the country had received above normal rainfall and the ground was already saturated.
To date, there have been heavy falls that have surpassed all previous years, for instance, Rupike which is 70 kilometres away from Masvingo received 224 millimetres, Bikita District received 200 millimetres and Zaka received 196 millimetres and these are the highest figures recorded within 24 hours.
Furthermore, hydrological indications are that 85% of dams in the country are full and spilling thus even low amounts of rainfall will cause flooding. The rainfall season is expected to continue up to the end of March.
Affected areas include: Matabeleland North Province: Tsholotsho, Lupane, Nkayi, Binga, Umguza and Hwange urban. The worst affected district is Tsholotsho