Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A HAILSTORM has damaged public infrastructure, including a clinic and schools in Tshitulipasi, Beitbridge district and authorities are assessing the extent of the destruction before mobilising the required resources for repairs.
The storm struck on Tuesday afternoon, damaging buildings at Tshitulipasi Clinic, Tshitulipasi Primary School and Tshitulipasi Secondary School, among other public infrastructure.
The clinic and secondary school serve an estimated 4 000 villagers in Ward 1, raising concerns about the potential disruption of essential health and education services.
The local Civil Protection Committee has dispatched a team to assess the extent of the damage before mobilising the required resources for repairs.
Civil Protection Committee focal person in the District Development Coordinator’s office, Mr Jahson Mugodzwa, confirmed the damage, saying assessments were underway.
“You will note that there are some extensive damages to most buildings here and we would need more resources to get things back to normalcy. However, we are still assessing damages in all affected areas in the ward pending further action,” said Mr Mugodzwa.
The extent of the damage, the cost of repairs and the possible impact on services at the affected institutions were still being assessed.
The incident comes amid a Meteorological Services Department (MSD) advisory warning of scattered thunderstorms across parts of the country this week, with possible hailstorms and localised heavy downpours affecting Matabeleland South.
The MSD warned that thunderstorms could bring lightning, strong winds, hail and flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, near rivers and in urban centres.
Members of the public have been urged to avoid sheltering under isolated trees during storms, stay away from flooded roads, avoid crossing flooded rivers, secure loose outdoor items and seek sturdy shelter when thunderstorms develop.
