adminEllah Mukwati Herald Reporter
The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has appealed to Treasury for funds to assist people affected by storms as families in Shamva and some parts of Tsholotsho have already been hit. The storms come after the prediction by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) that the country would experience heavy rains in excess of 50 mm in 24 hours, especially along the main watershed and in Manicaland.
CPU director, Mr Madzudzo Pawadyira, said the unit had assisted affected families in Shamva and Tsholotsho with food and tents.
“We have reasonable stocks in store to respond to the issue, but they are not adequate because we can never predict on the impact of the storms. We are therefore asking the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to give us money because at the moment, we are facing funding challenges,” he said.
The rainfall pattern in Zimbabwe has over the years become unpredictable and has been characterised by floods, hailstorms and droughts.
In 2000, Zimbabwe was hit by a devastating tropical cyclone (Cyclone Eline), with strong winds that affected the eastern and southern parts of the country. The cyclone happened when some parts of the country, particularly Save River Basin in Manicaland and the Limpopo River Basin in the southern provinces of Matabeleland South and Masvingo experienced life threatening flooding.
In 2014, heavy rains resulted in floods in Tokwe Mukosi, mud slides in Domboshava and property destruction across the country.
In January, at least 10 people died while hundreds were left homeless by floods in different parts of the country. Eight others died when a car they were traveling in was swept away while crossing a flooded bridge near Kadoma in January when the driver did not take advice from other motorists to wait for the water to subside.
CPU had for some years been holding awareness campaigns on floods, hailstorms and lightning in prone areas.
Meanwhile, the public has been urged to follow weather reports from the MSD closely.
Online Reporter