Tropical Storm Chido, which battered northern Mozambique on Sunday with fierce winds surpassing 200 km/h, has weakened into an overland depression, according to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD).
The storm made landfall near Pemba, located in Cabo Delgado Province, at approximately 6:15 AM on December 15. It brought torrential rainfall and flash flooding, with precipitation rates peaking at 30 mm per hour. As Chido tracked inland, particularly over Tete Province, the storm’s wind speeds and rainfall intensity diminished significantly due to the resistance posed by land surfaces.
In a statement, MSD confirmed, “Chido has now weakened into an overland depression and continues to move in a west-southwestward direction.”
By Monday, the storm’s residual moisture caused overcast skies and light to moderate rainfall across northeastern Zimbabwe. Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces experienced early rains starting at 9:00 AM.
Also Read:Cyclone Chido to Bring Heavy Rains and Strong Winds to Zimbabwe
The department has warned that the lingering moisture could combine with other weather systems, including the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone—responsible for Zimbabwe’s mid-December rainfall—and a cloud band moving from Botswana. This interaction is likely to produce moderate rainfall between 30 and 80 mm across much of Zimbabwe.
Civil Protection Unit (CPU) Director, Mr. Nathan Nkomo, urged residents in vulnerable regions to remain alert despite the storm’s weakening. He assured that authorities are actively monitoring the situation.
“Our teams, including the Meteorological Services Department and the climate service centre, are providing daily updates. We are prepared to respond promptly if needed,” Mr. Nkomo said.
While Tropical Storm Chido’s immediate danger has diminished, its aftermath highlights the importance of readiness during cyclone season in high-risk areas. Authorities continue to stress vigilance as rainfall persists and advise residents to stay informed through official updates to ensure safety.
