Floods

Since the start of the year , several countries in Southern Africa have been hit by floods. South Africa was the first to be hit by torrential rains. In particular Johannesburg and surrounding areas . Flooded roads and bridges, as well as hail damage meant the Johannesburg Emergency Management services personnel together with Disaster Management officials were on high alert and communities were urged to monitor water levels and move to higher ground when there is a need to do so. Motorist were advised not to try and cross flooded roads and bridges. Zimbabwe also had to deal with flooding as the region confronts the peak of the rainy season, heavy rains hit Zimbabwe.Normally heavy rains would be welcomed, however the weather appears to be harder than usual. Yet a report by Southern Africa's Food Security Alert says the erratic start to the season and increased likelihood of below-average January to March rainfall could affect crop performance. To help us analyse the situation we have Mnikeli Ndabambi, General Manager Operations for the South Africa Weather Service, Dr Mark Tadross, Research Fellow in Climatology at Cape Town University and Dominique Doyle, from Earthlife Africa, Johannesburg: