shloboe boe
Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw
HEAVY rains that lashed the country since the beginning of the year have left 561 people affected, with over 200 households suffering extensive damage and many families now in urgent need of assistance.
Midlands Civil Protection Committee chairperson and Director for Local Government Services, Mr Charlton Murove, confirmed the extent of the destruction, revealing that 64 houses were destroyed, and two lives were lost in Gokwe due to drowning.
“Since January 1, over 200 households have been damaged, with 64 houses destroyed. In total, 561 people have been affected, and we regretfully recorded two fatalities in Gokwe due to drowning,” he said.
Mr Murove said the Government has been intervening to provide relief to the affected people across the province.
He assured residents that emergency response efforts were in full swing, with authorities distributing essential supplies such as grain, tents and other vital relief items to affected families.
The province’s infrastructure has also suffered severe damage, with strong winds accompanying the downpours, wreaking havoc on public buildings.
“Floods caused by the rains posed a huge threat to the recently repaired Sesame River in Nemangwe area in Gokwe South. A total of 42 schools had their roofs blown off, largely due to aging infrastructure, compounded by climate change,” he said.
Mr Murove said eight clinics were affected as well as staff residences and hangars at some Government institutions.
“We are ready, but the unprecedented rainfall has resulted in numerous flood-related incidents. Our sub-committees for crisis and response are continuously engaged in rescue operations,” he said.
Mr Murove said the police sub-aqua unit had been dispatched to districts with reports of marooned residents.
“Over the weekend, we airlifted an elderly person stranded in the Sesame River area of Gokwe North.
Government has intensified efforts to assist those in need by providing shelter, medical aid and burial services for victims,” he said.
Mr Murove indicated that the district Civil Protection Committees (CPU) in the eight administrative districts in the province will assess the situation on the ground.
“Many of these families are already under social welfare and will continue receiving aid, including government-provided tents and resources through our water, sanitation and hygiene programmes,” he said.
Mr Murove commended the business community and major mining companies that played a crucial role in resource mobilisation, supplying rescue equipment for operations in Mberengwa District.
He said to enhance disaster preparedness, Gweru District recently conducted drills and simulations to educate communities on how to respond during emergencies.
Meanwhile, Gweru City Council and Redcliff Municipality have set up evacuation centres in residential areas to shelter displaced residents.
