Zimbabwe is sweltering through a heatwave, and the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) is urging people to drink plenty of water, keep out of direct sunlight and avoid lighting fires outdoors. The advice was carried by both Pindula News and The Herald this week.

Kariba was the hottest place in the country on Wednesday, recording 44°C, Pindula reported, citing the MSD. Binga reached 42°C, while Lupane and Tsholotsho both recorded 40°C.

What the Met Department advises

The MSD's advisory, quoted in both outlets, asks people to:

Keep hydrated by drinking enough water.

Limit time in direct sunlight by wearing sun hats and staying under umbrellas or in the shade.

Avoid starting outdoor fires, because windy conditions can make them spread quickly.

Manicaland feels the heat too

The heat has not been confined to the Zambezi valley. In Manicaland, MSD records show Chisumbanje in Chipinge District reached 40°C on Monday, the province's highest reading, The Herald reported. Buhera hit 37°C and Grand Reef Airport 36°C. Even Nyanga, known for its cool highland climate, recorded 29°C on Monday and 31°C on Tuesday.

Manicaland's provincial meteorological officer, Obedience Nhongo, told The Herald the readings in high-altitude areas were a warning sign. "When areas such as Nyanga and Makandi record temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, it is a clear indication that the heat is unusually intense," he said. He linked the extreme conditions to climate change, according to the paper.

Temperatures at a glance

Kariba: 44°C (Wednesday, Pindula citing MSD)

Binga: 42°C (Wednesday, Pindula)

Lupane and Tsholotsho: 40°C (Wednesday, Pindula)

Chisumbanje, Chipinge: 40°C (Monday, Herald citing MSD)

Nyanga: 29°C Monday, 31°C Tuesday (Herald)

Storms possible in the west

According to Pindula, the MSD said Friday could bring brief cloudy spells with windy, warm conditions and isolated thunderstorms in parts of the country, including Bulawayo and Matabeleland. It advised people to carry raincoats where possible, stay indoors during thunderstorms and not to shelter under trees. Forecasts change quickly, so check the MSD's latest update before making plans.

Why it matters

October is often one of Zimbabwe's hottest months, coming just before the rains. Heat at this level puts pressure on people who work outdoors, on livestock and on water supplies, and The Herald reported residents in Manicaland complaining of exhaustion and headaches. The MSD's warning about fires matters too: dry vegetation and wind at this time of year mean a small fire can get out of hand fast.

For readers abroad, it is a good week to check in on older relatives at home, and to pass on the Met Department's simple advice: water, shade, and no outdoor fires.

What we don't know yet

How long the heatwave will last; the MSD's outlook we saw covered only Friday.

Whether there have been any heat-related illnesses or hospital admissions. No figures have been published, and we have not reported any.

Sources: Pindula News (Lovemore Muzira), 22 Oct 2026: https://news.pindula.co.zw/2026/10/22/zimbabwe-bakes-as-temperatures-soar-to-44c/ · The Herald (Ray Bande), 23 Oct 2026: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/blistering-temperatures-trigger-alarm/