Airforce called in to rescue villagers

“We are still to assess the exact damage to infrastructure, food, human and livestock lives. We need to assess to what extent the nearby homes have been affected by these heavy rains,” she said.

Ms Chitiyo said the floods were widespread in both Gokwe North and South.

She said it was difficult to bring the required aid to Gokwe North as the flood-hit areas were still inaccessible.

The Midlands Civil Protection Unit provincial committee quickly convened a meeting on Thursday to come up with intervention strategies for the affected areas.

“We have sent some 4×4 vehicles which are going to both districts of Gokwe with our CPU committees from the province and districts.

“There is need to establish the exact damage caused by the floods in Gokwe North and South. Gokwe North remains inaccessible.

“When working with non-governmental organisations, there is need for specifics on                        how much aid is needed and what requirements are needed.

Normally food is quick to be affected under such conditions. It will, however, take us some time before we come up with the exact picture of the situation prevailing in Gokwe, as the rains are continuing,” said Ms Chitiyo.

On the armyworm menace, Ms Chitiyo said the Provincial CPU meeting acknowledged that the province was facing challenges in accessing the recommended chemical, Carbaryl 85WP.

She said the province was now doing spot-check spray controls in affected areas.

“They are not working on preventing the outbreaks because that is dangerous to the environment. We will focus on controlling, as opposed to preventing.We received 200kg worth of chemicals for  Gokwe North and South. Each kilogramme covers a hectare.

“The rest of the districts are still to receive their chemicals. It is coming in small batches. The challenge that we are facing is that Carbaryl 85W is not readily available in shops.

“Normally, the chemical is available in cotton growing areas that is why we have it in Gokwe,” said Ms Chitiyo.

She said the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development’s Plant Protection Research Institute would be sourcing more chemicals for the province.

“The ministry will be complemented by some NGOs that normally work in the province in sourcing chemicals and equipment to contain the armyworm,” said Ms Chitiyo.