George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
ABOUT 6 700 vulnerable households affected by Monday’s devastating hailstorm in Masvingo are set to receive emergency food aid, with 180 tonnes of mealie-meal and rice scheduled to arrive by Sunday as efforts to restore normalcy intensify.
Water bowsers and purification tablets are also being deployed following damage to the city’s water infrastructure.
This comes as preliminary assessments show that about 8 500 houses had their roofs blown off or damaged, while over 90 percent of an estimated 17 000 houses in Masvingo urban suffered shattered windowpanes.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the hailstorm a State of Disaster, paving way for the mobilisation of Government resources and assistance from development partners.
The hailstorm, which battered Masvingo City and parts of Manicaland, ripped off roofs, shattered windows and brought down perimeter walls, leaving thousands of families exposed and forcing the opening of evacuation centres.
Up to 50 percent of houses in Masvingo urban may have sustained roof damage, although the figures remain subject to verification.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Prevention and Management, yesterday led a team of senior Government officials, including deputy ministers and permanent secretaries, to Masvingo to assess the damage and coordinate the response.
Speaking after a meeting with Government officials, State agencies and development partners at the Masvingo City Council Civic Centre, Minister Garwe said the priority was to assist the most vulnerable while detailed assessments continued.
“The disaster has caused extensive damage to public institutions and critical infrastructure and we have started mobilising assistance with 180 tonnes of mealie meal and rice set to be delivered to the vulnerable by Sunday,” he said.
“We are going to give priority in aid distribution to the 6 700 households out of those affected who have been deemed to be very vulnerable.”
The storm struck suburbs including Rujeko, Mucheke and Victoria Ranch, while evacuation centres were opened at Mucheke Hall, Building Brigade and Maud Muzenda Training Centre.
Affected residents continued registering with provincial and district Civil Protection Unit command centres based at the Civic Centre.
Minister Garwe said the destruction had also affected critical public institutions.
“Among the affected facilities are Masvingo Provincial Hospital, Masvingo Airport, Masvingo Teachers College, Masvingo Polytechnic, the Passport Office, ZEC Provincial Office, RIDA, the DDC (District Development Committee)’s Office and several other Government facilities.
“Masvingo Provincial Hospital sustained roof damage affecting, among other areas, the kitchen, Intensive Care Unit, stores, maternity section, private ward, nurses’ home and casualty section.”
The damage extended beyond Masvingo City, with several schools affected and destruction recorded in Chivi and Gutu districts.
“Detailed assessments and bills of quantities are being prepared to establish the extent of damage and the resources required for rehabilitation,” said Minister Garwe.
“The electricity network also sustained extensive damage, with some power lines brought down. The preliminary assessment has estimated damage to the ZESA network at approximately US$300 000. “The loss of electricity has had a knock-on effect on water supplies and other essential services.”
Damage to the Bushmead Waterworks near Lake Mutirikwi left parts of Masvingo City without normal water supplies.
Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti said Government was deploying water bowsers and purification tablets to ease shortages and ensure available water was safe for consumption.
More than 40 schools in Masvingo City and Chipinge in Manicaland were damaged, while repairs were underway at the city’s weather station and the control tower at Masvingo Airport.
Minister Garwe urged affected households and institutions to register so that assistance could reach those most in need.
“Registration of affected households and institutions is continuing and this process is critical in ensuring that assistance is directed to those most in need and that Government maintains an accurate database of affected families,” he said.
“Particular priority is being given to persons with disabilities, child-headed families, children, the elderly, the chronically ill and other extremely vulnerable households.”
The provincial and district Civil Protection structures remain activated, with the command centre based at Masvingo City Council.
Minister Garwe said ward councillors, civil protection structures and humanitarian partners would continue registering affected households and documenting their needs.
Masvingo City Council has also established a WhatsApp platform through which residents can submit information on affected houses.
The disaster has disrupted education and other activities in the city. Great Zimbabwe University postponed its 20th graduation ceremony from October 7 to October 23 after the venue was damaged, while lectures were suspended until Monday next week.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira thanked President Mnangagwa for declaring the weather occurrence a State of Disaster and outlined the scale of destruction.
Government continues to assess the damage, with experts linking the extreme weather event to climate change.
