adminCallie-Lou Kakwere Herald Reporter
The Department of Civil Protection will embark on awareness campaigns ahead of possible flooding this coming rainy season, an official said. Civil Protection Union deputy director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovhu said the organisation would conduct awareness campaigns in flood-prone areas.
“CPU is working towards conducting simulation exercise at the risk districts to ensure effective readiness in case of emergencies related to the rainfall season,’’
CPU would also embark on national campaigns to rural communities and schoolchildren.
“Apart from the awareness campaigns on floods, CPU is also set to conduct campaigns on the impacts of the 2012/13 rainfall season incorporating adversely affected districts such as Mangwe, Mwenezi, Mberengwa and Gokwe north and south,”
“These will promote disaster preparedness to reduce over-reliance on rescue operations,” she said.
She said plans on disaster risk management for Matabeleland South, Gwanda, Hwange, Binga, Sanyati and Mhondoro-Ngezi are yet to be finalised.
A team of Sadc weather expects who met in Harare last month predicted normal to above normal rainfall across the region and requested that regional disaster management systems be activated to minimise loss of life and damage to property in the event of flooding.
Related hazards such as lightning, thunderstorms and strong winds are likely to occur.
The International Day for Disaster Reduction commemorations are scheduled for October 13 and will be held in Gwanda.
Online Reporter