adminTanaka Mahanya and Ashley Mujoma
THE Government has ordered the closure of some schools around the country, saying Cyclone Freddy may pose a threat to students’ safety.
In a statement, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary, Tumisang Thabela, said schools in Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Harare Metropolitan provinces should close.
“The above-named areas have been placed on high alert and as a result of this extreme weather likelihood, no pupils within the above-named areas are to attend school or face to face instruction on Friday 24 February.
“Heads of schools in these provinces are advised to exercise caution by notifying day pupils not to attend school on Friday 24 February or to attempt to cross any flooded rivers.
“Student boarders are to remain in their hostels and continue with their studies via alternative learning modes from the confines of a safe environment,” she said.
She said Cyclone Freddy was forecast to bring heavy rains to eastern parts of Zimbabwe and, thereafter spread to other parts of the country today and tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) warned communities in downstream dams against crossing flooded rivers and to ensure that all water abstraction equipment along river channels is either removed or adequately secured.
“Some dams in the areas where the cyclone is expected to have an impact are already full and spilling while others are almost full.
“To create storage space for the envisaged inflows and to alleviate any potential loss or damage to dam infrastructure, ZINWA may, in some instances, require to release water from some of the already filled up dams, thereby increasing river flows downstream,” said ZINWA in a statement.
“We will work together hand-in-hand with the Government and prior warnings will be given ahead.
“We want to ensure that we don’t experience huge losses from the cyclone.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter