adminNgoni Dapira Post Correspondent
MANICALAND acting provincial administrator Mr Cosmas Chiringa has said his office is closely monitoring dam levels to avoid floods.
This comes after recent reports by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority that several parts of the country were at risk of floods citing that dams were fast filling up from rains received between December 29 and January 4.
In an interview on Tuesday, Mr Chiringa said the highest risk area of floods was Chipinge district, especially the villages along the Save River basin.
He said the provincial Civil Protection Unit in collaboration with ZINWA were monitoring the upper dam levels daily to control the overflow into Save River, which if done abruptly usually floods the Save River basin in Chipinge.
“We are aware that the national dam levels are on the increase including the main dams in Manicaland whose overflow upper stream has ripple effects on Saver River, which will consequently flood villages along the Save River basin.
“We are therefore closely monitoring the dam levels and will control the overflow to avoid flooding downstream in Save River.
“We also aim to open the overflow systematically after notifying villagers along the Save River Valley to avoid any casualties,” said Mr Chiringa.
He, however, highlighted that awareness campaigns on early warning systems had been done last year by the national and district CPUs.
Before the first rains in October last year the national CPU conducted disaster risk management campaigns in Mutema, Tongogara, Maronga, Chibuwe and Gumira villages, whilst the district CPU in December further carried out awareness campaigns in Checheche, Bveneka, Mutandahwe and Mahenya situated along the Save River basin.
The acting PA added that the provincial CPU was also getting daily feedback on the regional weather pattern from the national meteorological department.
On Monday ZINWA reported that several parts of the country were at risk of flooding citing that dams were filling up from rains received between December 29 and January 4.
According to the report the national dam levels increased significantly by 2.45 percent during the stated period.
In Manicaland upper dams likes Rusape Dam and Osborne Dam are currently at 91.1 percent and 68.7 percent full respectively.
Meteorological reports have been indicating that heavy rains with thunderstorms will continue to be registered in Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces.
International Rescue Committee Zimbabwe country director Mr Paolo Cerschi said Zimbabwe currently had visible CPU structures at national, provincial and district level, but financial limitations were the only drawback to efficient emergency response systems.
IRC last year organised disaster risk management workshops for CPU district structures in Nyanga, Chipinge and Chiredzi.
Mr Cerschi added that last year’s Tokwe-Mukosi Dam flood in Masvingo where over 2 700 families were displaced could only be averted by having early warning systems in place for disaster risk management.
Online Reporter