A HARARE man has sensationally claimed that Zimbabwe will be hit by another earthquake between now and February next year.
The man only identified as Kilamanjaro has been in contact with the Weekend Post since July this year.
At that time he made another seemingly sensational prediction that the country will be hit by an earthquake in the eastern part.
Bizarrely, that claim came to pass a fortnight ago in Chipinge where residents were awoken by tremors after an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale hit Mozambique.
The earthquake, according to US Geological Survey (USGS), occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers at 22hrs 06min and 12 seconds.
However, this time, Kilimanjaro insists another earthquake will hit the country in the not so distant future
“People must avoid high-rise buildings if possible as the earthquake is going to strike between now and February 2017. I also urge people to keep food that can last them three days,” he said.
His prediction comes as Seismologists say Zimbabwe, long considered a haven from major earthquakes, is no longer a “safe zone”.
Seismic activity in Chipinge combined with recent tremors in Kariba, Binga and Karoi have raised concerns of a greater threat.
It has left many convinced the country is no longer an earthquake “safe zone” with seismic analysts urging government to promptly implement disaster preventive measures.
Zimbabwe currently lacks comprehensive disaster risk reduction and preparedness programmes while weak infrastructure not able to withstand quakes has left government less able to keep its population safe.
“Earthquakes are the most destructive natural hazards that occur in most countries and kill thousands every year,” said a report compiled by Seismology Section of the Meteorological Services Department to the ministry of Environment last week.
“Regionally, this month on September 10, 2016 at least 16 people died and 253 were injured in a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck North West Tanzania.”
Seismologist Kwangwari Marimira said while danger of earthquake disasters was very real there was no need to panic but to mitigate the hazards by mapping of all earthquake prone zones in the country and educating the public on the hazards.
The main causes of earthquakes in Zimbabwe are largely plate tectonics closely related to the east African rift system.
On August 23, an earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was experienced north of Karoi Town around 15:02pm.
The epicentre of the earthquake was determined to be about 31km from Karoi town and 115 km from Lake Kariba
Before that a 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit Kariba area and some parts of Zambia on January 9 early this year.
The earthquake occurred at 5:05 am local time. The epicentre was determined to be just 31km west of the border post.
Seismic analysts say the filling of the world’s largest artificial lake Kariba has been followed by considerable earthquake activity and it is clear that the lake has re-activated some of the existing faults.
Zimbabwe has also recorded a number of mining induced earthquakes in Matebeleland South especially in Gwanda and also in Midlands. —Farayi Machamire
