Flood warning

Zimbabwe's weather service warned on Friday of more heavy rains in the next 24 hours and said up to 30,000 people in low-lying areas could be left homeless if the deluge caused floods, Reuters reported. The Zimbabwe Meteorological Services said torrential rains were expected around the country on Friday and Saturday and urged people in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.

"(This) serious condition, which will see some areas receiving at least 150 mm of rain in the next 24 hours, was prompted by a low-pressure system in Mozambique," the department said in a warning read on state radio and television. At least 10 people have died in floods in Zimbabwe in the past two weeks. The rains in some parts of the country, especially in northeastern and southeastern districts bordering Mozambique, have also destroyed homes, bridges and crops. The government's Civil Protection Unit said so far 15,000 people have been displaced and that hundreds of villagers have been airlifted from the Zambezi Valley.