Govt assesses Chirundu storm disaster

Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
Government is assessing the Chirundu storm disaster, where several people were injured and properties, including part of the border post, were destroyed by strong winds.

Th purpose is to gauge the level of assistance needed to withstand such harsh weather conditions.

The property was destroyed after moderate rains accompanied by strong winds lasted for about 30 minutes.

Some of the affected properties were Chirundu Clinic, Riverside residential area, which houses Government employees, part of the roof at the border complex and carport.

In an interview, Hurungwe District administrator Ms Peace Muzenda said a report detailing the extent of damage had been forwarded for preliminary assessment by their head office.

“An assessment was made and now we have just forwarded the report to our superiors, who will make a determination on what needs to be done,” she said.

A woman sustained a deep gush after being hit by roofing material that had been blown off by the winds.

She was taken to Mutenderi Clinic across the border in Zambia where her condition was reported to be stable. The Department of Public Works moved in to avert a humanitarian disaster by covering some of the affected houses with old roofing material that was removed from disused houses.

Market stalls, Chirundu Beerhall, Ruvimbo Primary and Secondary schools were also affected by the storm.

A Chirundu resident said the rains that were accompanied by strong winds did not last long, but the effects were devastating.

“Rains started falling around 4pm on Monday (last week), but quickly subsided, leaving strong winds which lasted for about 30 minutes.

“The destruction was widespread. We can talk of varying degrees of damage,” said the resident.

Another source said the major challenge was the unavailability of roofing material to replace those that were blown off.

“People are worried that baboons are going enter their houses through the roof.

“Workers from the Department of Works have tried to improvise, but with limited success due to the shortage of materials,” said the source.

Houses in some villages in the Vuti area of Hurungwe along the Harare-Chirundu Highway were also affected.

An assessment of the extent of the damage in the rural area is yet to be made.