Geography of Zimbabwe

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Geography of Zimbabwe
Zi-map.png

LocationZimbabwe.svg
Continent Africa
Region Southern Africa
Coordinates 20°S30°E / 20°S 30°E / -20; 30
Area Ranked 60th
  Total390,757 km2 (150,872 sq mi)
  Land99.00%
  Water1.00%
Coastline0 km (0 mi)
Borders3,066 km
(Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km)
Highest point Inyangani
2,592 m (8,504 ft)
Lowest pointjunction of the Runde and Save rivers. 162 m (531 ft)
Longest river Zambezi River
2,650 km
Largest lake Lake Kariba
7,770 km2
Satellite image of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe sat.png
Satellite image of Zimbabwe
Topography of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Topography.png
Topography of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's cities, main towns, selected villages and archaeological sites, rivers and its highest point ZimbabweOMC.png
Zimbabwe's cities, main towns, selected villages and archaeological sites, rivers and its highest point

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa lying north of the Tropic of Capricorn. [1] During summer, the whole country experiences warm temperatures as a result of the sun being directly overhead. It straddles an extensive high inland plateau that drops northwards to the Zambezi valley where the border with Zambia is and similarly drops southwards to the Limpopo valley and the border with South Africa.

Contents

Area and boundaries

Area
  • Total: 390,757 km²
    • country rank in the world: 60th
  • Land: 386,850 km²
  • Water: 3,910 km²
Area comparative
  • Australia comparative: slightly less than half the size of New South Wales
  • Canada comparative: slightly smaller than Newfoundland and Labrador
  • United Kingdom comparative: approximately 3/5 larger than the United Kingdom
  • United States comparative: slightly larger than Montana
  • EU comparative: approximately 1/10 larger than Germany
Land boundaries

The country has borders with Botswana (813 km), Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa (225 km), Zambia 797 km and almost meets Namibia at its westernmost point. [2]

Climate

The climate varies markedly with altitude with the Eastern Highlands at 1,878 metres or 6,161 feet above sea level being much wetter and cooler than lower altitudes. There is a dry season, including a short cool season during the period May to September, when the whole country has very little rain. The rainy season is typically a time of heavy rainfall from November to March. The whole country is influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone during January. In years when it is poorly defined there is below-average rainfall and a likelihood of serious drought in the country, as happened in 1983 and 1992. When it is well defined rainfall is average or well above average, as in 1981 and 1986. Zimbabwe’s climate can be categorised into three regions, hot region (lowveld and part of the middleveld), warm region (rest of the middleveld and high veld) and the cool region (Eastern Highlands)[ citation needed ] [3] [4]

Examples

Climate data for Harare (1961–1990, extremes 1897–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)33.9
(93.0)
35.0
(95.0)
32.3
(90.1)
32.0
(89.6)
30.0
(86.0)
27.7
(81.9)
28.8
(83.8)
31.0
(87.8)
35.0
(95.0)
36.7
(98.1)
35.3
(95.5)
33.5
(92.3)
36.7
(98.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)26.2
(79.2)
26.0
(78.8)
26.2
(79.2)
25.6
(78.1)
23.8
(74.8)
21.8
(71.2)
21.6
(70.9)
24.1
(75.4)
28.4
(83.1)
28.8
(83.8)
27.6
(81.7)
26.3
(79.3)
25.5
(77.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)21.0
(69.8)
20.7
(69.3)
20.3
(68.5)
18.8
(65.8)
16.1
(61.0)
13.7
(56.7)
13.4
(56.1)
15.5
(59.9)
18.6
(65.5)
20.8
(69.4)
21.2
(70.2)
20.9
(69.6)
18.4
(65.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)15.8
(60.4)
15.7
(60.3)
14.5
(58.1)
12.5
(54.5)
9.3
(48.7)
6.8
(44.2)
6.5
(43.7)
8.5
(47.3)
11.7
(53.1)
14.5
(58.1)
15.5
(59.9)
15.8
(60.4)
12.3
(54.1)
Record low °C (°F)9.6
(49.3)
8.0
(46.4)
7.5
(45.5)
4.7
(40.5)
2.8
(37.0)
0.1
(32.2)
0.1
(32.2)
1.1
(34.0)
4.1
(39.4)
5.1
(41.2)
6.1
(43.0)
10.0
(50.0)
0.1
(32.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)190.8
(7.51)
176.3
(6.94)
99.1
(3.90)
37.2
(1.46)
7.4
(0.29)
1.8
(0.07)
2.3
(0.09)
2.9
(0.11)
6.5
(0.26)
40.4
(1.59)
93.2
(3.67)
182.7
(7.19)
840.6
(33.09)
Average precipitation days1714105210115101682
Average relative humidity (%)76777267626055504548637362
Mean monthly sunshine hours 217.0190.4232.5249.0269.7264.0279.0300.7294.0285.2231.0198.43,010.9
Mean daily sunshine hours 7.06.87.58.38.78.89.09.79.89.27.76.48.2
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization, [5] NOAA (sun and mean temperature, 1961–1990), [6]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity, 1954–1975), [7] Meteo Climat (record highs and lows) [8]
Climate data for Bulawayo (1961-1990 normals)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)36.7
(98.1)
34.4
(93.9)
35.6
(96.1)
33.0
(91.4)
30.6
(87.1)
28.3
(82.9)
28.3
(82.9)
32.2
(90.0)
35.0
(95.0)
36.7
(98.1)
37.2
(99.0)
35.2
(95.4)
37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)27.7
(81.9)
27.2
(81.0)
27.1
(80.8)
25.9
(78.6)
24.1
(75.4)
21.6
(70.9)
21.5
(70.7)
24.4
(75.9)
27.9
(82.2)
29.4
(84.9)
28.7
(83.7)
27.7
(81.9)
26.1
(79.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)21.8
(71.2)
21.2
(70.2)
20.6
(69.1)
18.7
(65.7)
16.0
(60.8)
13.7
(56.7)
13.8
(56.8)
16.4
(61.5)
19.9
(67.8)
21.6
(70.9)
21.7
(71.1)
21.4
(70.5)
18.9
(66.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)16.5
(61.7)
16.2
(61.2)
15.3
(59.5)
13.0
(55.4)
9.9
(49.8)
7.4
(45.3)
7.2
(45.0)
9.1
(48.4)
12.4
(54.3)
15.0
(59.0)
16.0
(60.8)
16.3
(61.3)
12.9
(55.2)
Record low °C (°F)10.0
(50.0)
9.4
(48.9)
8.4
(47.1)
3.5
(38.3)
0.0
(32.0)
−3.9
(25.0)
0.0
(32.0)
0.0
(32.0)
1.4
(34.5)
6.9
(44.4)
7.2
(45.0)
8.9
(48.0)
−3.9
(25.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches)117.8
(4.64)
104.6
(4.12)
51.4
(2.02)
33.3
(1.31)
7.0
(0.28)
2.2
(0.09)
1.0
(0.04)
1.4
(0.06)
7.0
(0.28)
38.4
(1.51)
91.1
(3.59)
120.3
(4.74)
575.5
(22.66)
Average rainy days1085311001481051
Average relative humidity (%)69717062565448434143556356
Mean monthly sunshine hours 244.9212.8251.1252.0279.0267.0288.3300.7288.0272.8237.0226.33,119.9
Mean daily sunshine hours 7.97.68.18.49.08.99.39.79.68.87.97.38.5
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization [9] NOAA (sun and mean temperature, 1961–1990) [10]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes and humidity) [11]
Climate data for Mutare
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)27.6
(81.7)
26.8
(80.2)
26.3
(79.3)
25.2
(77.4)
23.7
(74.7)
21.4
(70.5)
21.2
(70.2)
23.2
(73.8)
26.1
(79.0)
27.0
(80.6)
27.5
(81.5)
27.1
(80.8)
25.3
(77.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)17.5
(63.5)
16.3
(61.3)
15.6
(60.1)
13.9
(57.0)
10.6
(51.1)
8.0
(46.4)
7.6
(45.7)
9.3
(48.7)
12.2
(54.0)
14.6
(58.3)
16.1
(61.0)
16.9
(62.4)
13.2
(55.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches)153.5
(6.04)
164.5
(6.48)
88.4
(3.48)
31.8
(1.25)
12.4
(0.49)
8.9
(0.35)
5.8
(0.23)
6.0
(0.24)
20.2
(0.80)
45.9
(1.81)
86.4
(3.40)
167.0
(6.57)
790.8
(31.13)
Average rainy days131110432222581274
Source: World Meteorological Organization [12]
Climate data for Hwange (1961–1990)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)29.2
(84.6)
28.9
(84.0)
28.8
(83.8)
27.9
(82.2)
26.2
(79.2)
24.0
(75.2)
24.1
(75.4)
26.9
(80.4)
30.9
(87.6)
32.1
(89.8)
31.7
(89.1)
29.7
(85.5)
28.4
(83.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)18.1
(64.6)
17.7
(63.9)
16.8
(62.2)
13.4
(56.1)
8.7
(47.7)
4.9
(40.8)
4.6
(40.3)
7.2
(45.0)
12.1
(53.8)
16.0
(60.8)
17.5
(63.5)
18.0
(64.4)
12.9
(55.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches)145.1
(5.71)
128.9
(5.07)
57.1
(2.25)
20.3
(0.80)
2.6
(0.10)
0.1
(0.00)
0.0
(0.0)
0.6
(0.02)
1.6
(0.06)
21.4
(0.84)
55.8
(2.20)
126.5
(4.98)
560.0
(22.05)
Average rainy days12107310001371256
Source: World Meteorological Organization [13]
Climate data for Gweru (1961–1990)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)26.3
(79.3)
25.8
(78.4)
25.8
(78.4)
24.7
(76.5)
22.9
(73.2)
20.6
(69.1)
20.5
(68.9)
23.3
(73.9)
26.8
(80.2)
28.3
(82.9)
27.4
(81.3)
26.3
(79.3)
24.9
(76.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)15.3
(59.5)
15.1
(59.2)
13.8
(56.8)
11.3
(52.3)
7.6
(45.7)
4.9
(40.8)
4.5
(40.1)
6.5
(43.7)
10.0
(50.0)
13.1
(55.6)
14.5
(58.1)
15.1
(59.2)
11.0
(51.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches)139.1
(5.48)
124.8
(4.91)
55.9
(2.20)
29.0
(1.14)
7.7
(0.30)
1.9
(0.07)
1.0
(0.04)
1.9
(0.07)
9.3
(0.37)
35.1
(1.38)
96.2
(3.79)
159.4
(6.28)
661.3
(26.04)
Average rainy days12107311001491260
Source: World Meteorological Organization [14]

Terrain

Much of the country is on a plateau with a higher central plateau (high veld) forming a watershed between the Zambezi and Limpopo river systems. The flattish watershed region is part of an ancient etchplain called the African Surface covers large swathes of the continent. [15] [16] While the African Surface occupy the higher ground, spurs and small interfluves a younger "post-African" surface occupy lower positions with occasional rock domes, koppies and tors protruding rolling or plain landscape. The Limpopo and the lower Zambezi valleys are broad and relatively flat plains. The eastern end of the watershed terminates in a north-south mountain spine, called the Eastern Highlands. [15] The northeast-southwest oriented central uplands have been uplifted in geologically recent times (Late Pliocene or Pleistocene) deviating the watercourse of upper Zambezi River that used to flow into the Limpopo River to the east to its current outlet at the Mozambique Channel. [17] [18] The northeast-southwest upland and watershed follows the axis of an epeirogenic flexure. [17]

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m
highest point: Mount Nyangani 2,592 m [19]

Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, diamond, platinum group metals

Land use:
arable land: 10.49%
permanent crops: 0.31%
other: 89.20% (2011)

Irrigated land: 1,735 km² (2003)

Total renewable water resources: 20 km3 (2011)

Natural hazards: droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

Environment — current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd – once the largest concentration of the species in the world – has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution [20]

Environment — international agreements: ↵party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements.

Hydrology: ↵The country is divided into six drainage basins. The largest are the Zambezi and the Limpopo. Western parts of Matabeleland connect to the Okavango inland drainage basin through the Nata River. Most of southern Mashonaland and adjacent parts of Masvingo drain through the Save river into the Indian Ocean. Two smaller drainage basins cover parts of Manicaland, and drain into the Indian Ocean through Mozambique. These are the Pungwe river to the north and the Buzi river to the south. Sediment transport has been studied for rivers in Zimbabwe using the HBV hydrology transport model.

Main land use type:

  1. Above 1,050 millimetres or 41 inches/annum with some precipitation in all months of the year Afforestation, fruit, tea, coffee and intensive livestock production.
  2. 750 to 1,000 millimetres (30 to 40 in)/annum seasonally confined with well-defined dry season Large scale intensive crop and livestock production.
  3. 650 to 800 millimetres (26 to 31 in)/annum with regular mid-season dry spells Livestock production with fodder crops. Marginal production of maize, tobacco and cotton.
  4. 450 to 650 millimetres (18 to 26 in)/annum with periodic seasonal drought and severe rainy season dry spells. Livestock production and drought resistant crops.
  5. Too low and erratic for even drought resistant fodder and grain crops. Extensive livestock and/or game ranching. [21]

Extreme points

This is a list of the extreme points of Zimbabwe, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

Weather hazards in Zimbabwe

Weather hazards are conditions which are unfavorable to people and their activities that result from weather phenomena. Most of these cannot be prevented however their effects can be mitigated. Weather hazards include any naturally occurring weather condition that has the potential to cause either harm or damage to people. [22] Zimbabwe is affected by various weather hazards including droughts, floods, heat wave, lightning and wildfires over the past century. These weather hazards has affected a lot of people in Zimbabwe resulting to a number of deaths and other challenges. [23] Sixteen districts across six provinces Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Midlands and Matabeleland North in Zimbabwe have been affected by heavy rains and floods since the 2021/2022 rainy season began in October 2021. Tropical Storm Ana brought heavy rains to Zimbabwe in late-January, causing floods and damage, affecting 845 houses and 51 schools. [24]

Types of weather hazards that have affected Zimbabwe.

The main weather hazards that have affected Zimbabwe include: [25]

Drought

Climate and Weather near Kariba in Zimbabwe Near Kariba.jpg
Climate and Weather near Kariba in Zimbabwe

Drought has to do with a period of abnormally dry weather which is caused little or no rainfall producing a lack of water. [27]

Effects of Drought in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe droughts carry many effects which include factors leading to economic struggles. Inflation rates go up as farmers undergo crop failure and loss of livestock a well as often wildfires. Due to drought the country is faced with serious water shortages as well as outrageous power cuts. [28]

Mitigation

To limit the effects of drought the country can make use of cloud seeding, stocking of harvest in GMBs during fruitful years and/or practice irrigation. [29]

Building and servicing dams and rivers that are no longer serving their purpose [30]

Floods

Flooding refer to an abnormal overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally Drylands. These are caused by abnormal rainfall and cyclones. [31]

Effects of Floods in Zimbabwe

The primary effects of flooding include loss of life and damage to buildings and other structures, including bridges, sewerage systems, roadways, and canals. Floods also frequently damage power transmission and sometimes power generation. As a common after-effect of severe flooding, Zimbabwe has also faced economic hardship due to a temporary decline in tourism, rebuilding costs, or food shortages leading to price increases. [32] [28] [33]

Mitigation

In January 2022 the country's Department of Civil Protection (DCP) set up 394 evacuation centers in Manicaland province to deal with the impact of Cyclone Ana. This was the government's way of limiting the effects of the floods as it was noted that parts of Mutasa and Chimanimani districts were already receiving strong winds and heavy rains associated with the storm. [34] Another way of mitigating the effects of flooding is relocating people before during and after the floods and ensuring that everyone is at safe place when the cyclone hits the arear. This is seen in Zimbabwe were the authorities announced that school children from the most vulnerable areas should not go to school but stay home on the days when cyclone Freddy was expected. [35] [36]

Lightning

lightening Lightening strike.jpg
lightening

Lightning is associated with weather patterns whereby there is a natural electrical discharge from the clouds which occurs for a very short period and it heats the ground or earth, it is usually accompanied by a bright flash and typical thunder. Lightning may damage a lot of things and may is dangerous to livelihood. [37]

Effects of lightning in Zimbabwe

Lightning is very harmful; it affects both livelihood as well as the infrastructure. A number of people have been hospitalized and some died due to the effects of lightning this is evidenced when lightning bolt struck and wounded 13 male prisoners while they were having lunch at a jail in northwestern Zimbabwe, [38] and in some arears especially game parks a number of animals have died due to lightning. [39] Lightning also has a record of destroying infrastructure, one family in Beitbridge were left stranded as they lost their home to lightning. [40]

Mitigation

To prevent and reduce the effects of lightning people are advised to avoid open space as well as standing under toll trees and to ensuring that buildings have lightning protection as this will help to protect the building from lightning hence minimal risk of being affected. [41]

Frost

Frost occurs when weather patterns changes causing a deposit of small white ice crystals formed on the ground, windows, cars or other open surfaces when the temperature falls below freezing [42]

Effects of Frost in Zimbabwe

In 2021 Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Paul Zakariya confirmed to herald that a number of farmers are affected by frost as he said they had received numerous reports of ground frost that had affected several crops across the Zimbabwean growers hit by frosty conditions. [43] In some areas like Matobo wear frost often hits people are always affected by frostbites as they would have been affected by the cold.

Mitigation

Agriculture expert Mr Ivan Craig encouraged farmers to reduce damage of crop to frost by growing crops that are less susceptible to frost in winter these are onion, peas, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot and winter cabbage among others. People who are in areas always affected by frost are encouraged to keep warm all the time to avoid developing frostbites. Farmers could also construct a wall of thatch grass around the garden or burn cow dung around the field as this will help trap frost when it comes. [44]

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The Munyati River is a river in Zimbabwe. Under the Rhodesian administration, it was officially named the Umniati, but its spelling was changed in 1983 to more closely resemble the correct Shona pronunciation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Leon–Eline</span> Australian and South-West Indian cyclone in 2000

Intense Tropical Cyclone Leon–Eline was the second longest-lived cyclone in the Indian Ocean, behind Cyclone Freddy, traveling over 11,000 km (6,800 mi) during its 29-day track through the Indian Ocean, throughout the month of February. The cyclone formed on 1 February 2000, in the Australian basin as Tropical Cyclone Leon, and was renamed Eline after crossing 90° E into the South-West Indian Ocean; there, the Météo-France office in Réunion (MFR) tracked the storm's movement and intensity. Late on 17 February, Eline made landfall near Mahanoro, Madagascar, with 10‑minute winds of 165 km/h (103 mph). The storm rapidly weakened over land, but restrengthened in the Mozambique Channel to reach peak 10‑minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), making it an intense tropical cyclone. On 22 February, Eline made landfall about 80 km (50 mi) south of Beira, Mozambique, near peak intensity. Eline quickly weakened over land as it moved across Southern Africa, finally dissipating over eastern Namibia on 29 February.

Articles related to Zimbabwe include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Severe weather</span> Any dangerous meteorological phenomenon

Severe weather is any dangerous meteorological phenomenon with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. These vary depending on the latitude, altitude, topography, and atmospheric conditions. High winds, hail, excessive precipitation, and wildfires are forms and effects, as are thunderstorms, downbursts, tornadoes, waterspouts, tropical cyclones, and extratropical cyclones. Regional and seasonal phenomena include blizzards (snowstorms), ice storms, and duststorms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chimanimani</span> Town in Zimbabwe

Chimanimani, originally known as Melsetter, is a town in Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Zimbabwe</span> Overview of and topical guide to Zimbabwe

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Zimbabwe:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Japhet</span> South-West Indian cyclone in 2003

Intense Tropical Cyclone Japhet was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected southeast Africa in March 2003. It developed on February 25 near the southwest coast of Madagascar, and initially moved to the northwest before turning to the southwest. With favorable conditions for development, Japhet quickly intensified in the Mozambique Channel, reaching maximum winds of 175 km/h (109 mph), sustained over 10 minutes. After stalling briefly, the cyclone turned to the northwest, weakening slightly before striking Mozambique just south of Vilankulo on March 2. Japhet slowly weakened while progressing inland, dissipating over Zambia on March 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Delfina</span> South-West Indian tropical storm in 2002 and 2003

Severe Tropical Storm Delfina was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected southeastern Africa in January 2003. The fourth named storm of the 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Delfina formed off the northwest coast of Madagascar on December 30, 2002. It quickly intensified while moving westward, becoming a strong tropical storm before hitting northeastern Mozambique on December 31. Delfina weakened while moving inland, and it was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by January 1, 2003. However, its remnants moved across the country and into Malawi, later looping around and crossing back over Mozambique; the remnants of Delfina were last observed on January 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–2016 El Niño event</span> Warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean

The 2014–2016 El Niño was the strongest El Niño event on record, with unusually warm waters developing between the coast of South America and the International Date Line. These unusually warm waters influenced the world's weather in a number of ways, which in turn significantly affected various parts of the world. These included drought conditions in Venezuela, Australia and a number of Pacific islands while significant flooding was also recorded. During the event, more tropical cyclones than normal occurred within the Pacific Ocean, while fewer than normal occurred in the Atlantic Ocean.

The 2018–2021 Southern Africa drought was a period of drought that took place in Southern Africa. The drought began in late October 2018, and negatively affected food security in the region. In mid-August 2019, the drought was classified as a level 2 Red-Class event by the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System. The alert level was reduced to the Orange-1.7 by 12 December 2019, as the new wet season had started. In September 2020, the drought was classified as a level 2 Red-Class event. The drought continued into early 2021. Beginning in October 2021, South Africa experienced above average rainfall and reservoirs refilled by early 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in Southern Africa</span> Storms affecting Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa

At least 30 tropical cyclones have affected the Southern African mainland. Three southeastern African countries border the Indian Ocean – Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. Other inland countries also experience the effects of tropical cyclones, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Eloise</span> South-West Indian Ocean cyclone in 2021

Tropical Cyclone Eloise was the strongest tropical cyclone to impact the country of Mozambique since Cyclone Kenneth in 2019 and the second of three consecutive tropical cyclones to impact Mozambique in the 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The seventh tropical depression, fifth named storm and the second tropical cyclone of the season, Eloise's origins can be traced to a disturbance over the central portion of the South-West Indian Ocean basin which developed into a tropical depression on 16 January, and strengthened into a tropical storm on 17 January, though the storm had limited strength and organization. On the next day, the storm entered a more favorable environment, and it soon intensified to a severe tropical storm on 18 January. Late on 19 January, Eloise made landfall in northern Madagascar as a moderate tropical storm, bringing with it heavy rainfall and flooding. The storm traversed Madagascar and entered the Mozambique Channel in the early hours of 21 January. After moving southwestward across the Mozambique Channel for an additional 2 days, Eloise strengthened into a Category 1-equivalent cyclone, due to low wind shear and high sea surface temperatures. Early on 23 January, Eloise peaked as a Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale as the center of the storm began to move ashore in Mozambique. Shortly afterward, Eloise made landfall just north of Beira, Mozambique, before rapidly weakening. Subsequently, Eloise weakened into a remnant low over land on 25 January, dissipating soon afterward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Zimbabwe</span>

Climate change impacts are occurring in Zimbabwe. Climate change is the result of the Earth's climate undergoing long-term changes due to the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and a hotter planet. Human activities, such as the use of fossil fuels, as well as large-scale commercial agriculture and deforestation, are responsible for the release of these greenhouse gases. The country's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is very minimal.

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