adminElita Chikwati Senior Reporter
The District Development Fund (DDF), through its public works projects, has brought relief to the Chirumanzu community that was facing water shortages following the destruction of boreholes by Cyclone Idai.
About 200 households of Highlands Village were left stranded as they no longer had safe sources of water and were now relying on an open well.
Highlands Village resident, Mrs Fortunate Chimedza, said the people were now getting water from an unprotected well, exposing themselves to diseases such as cholera.
“The situation was now dire as the well was now drying up,” she said. “We were now limiting every household to a 20-litre bucket of water so that everyone benefits from the well.
“We are glad that DDF has come. You assisted us by repairing our boreholes.”
Mrs Yeukai Zimbuku, from the same village, said the water crisis was now affecting people as they were spending most of their time in the queue to fetch water.
“The well is drying up, so it takes long to fill a bucket and we make sure each household has a bucket before some can have more water,” she said.
Mrs Eneresi Mutero said some villagers had been forced to walk more than a four kilometres in search of water.
“The nearest borehole is four kilometres away,” she said. “We were forced to go to Rusununguko to fetch clean water. DDF has come to our rescue and soon, our challenge will be over.”
DDF Midlands provincial engineer, Ms Sibonakaliso Kutaudzaushe Chenda, said Highlands Village had one water point.
“Six wards were affected by Cyclone Idai. In Chirumanzu district, 29 boreholes were affected and 14 need flashing, while 15 require minor service,” she said.
“The boreholes used to cater for people in Village 15, Village 24, Tokwe 4, Ward 25 and Guramatunhu Village which left faced with water shortages as a result of the damage done by Cyclone Idai.”
Ms Kutaudzaushe said DDF was repairing the boreholes to ensure the communities had access to clean water.
Online Reporter