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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
Mashonaland West province has activated the Civil Protection Unit ahead of expectations of storms and heavy rains exceeding 50 millimetres that are going to be received in some parts of the province.
The province has already experienced cases of destruction of farm properties, inputs and schools in some parts of Mhangura and Makonde districts.
This was after a hailstorm ripped off galvanised sheets off trusses, exposing 18 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, 12 tonnes of Compound D, and 20 tonnes of lime.
More than 20 tonnes of maize, wheat and other crops were also exposed to heavy rains that fell in the area.
Members of the provincial and district civil protection units recently convened at Kadoma Ranch Hotel and Conference Centre to activate the units following the warning issued by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD).
The MSD warned that Manicaland, Matabeleland South, Masvingo and southern areas of Midlands could be the most seriously affected by heavy rains expected to be coupled with hail, strong winds and lightning.
Mashonaland West provincial development coordinator, who is also the civil protection unit chairperson, Mr Josphat Jaji said the units were appraised on the looming dangers and best ways to mitigate the loss of life.
“All District Development Co-ordinators and related Government ministries convened in Kadoma to ensure all Civil Protection Structures at sub-national levels including schools are aware of this heavy rains alert,” he said.
“We expect that the rains will leave a trail of distraction in some parts of the province although Manicaland, Matabeleland South, Masvingo and southern areas of Midlands are going to be the worst hit.”
He urged communities to be careful during this rainy season to avoid the loss of life.
“We are urging our communities to be very careful to avoid loss of life,” said Mr Jaji.
“They should always follow the news and alerts from the meteorological services department.”
In 2015, 24 homes were destroyed in Zvimba and Chinhoyi in Mashonaland West province resulting in the displacement of the families leaving them in urgent need of relief.
The continuous rains also caused flooding of roads with the Harare-Chirundu and Lion’s Den-Mhangura roads being the worst affected.
About 15 people suspected to be gold panners were marooned on Angwa River and had to be rescued by the police Sub-Aqua Unit following the excessive rains.
In January this year, a Chinhoyi man was killed when he tried to cross a flooded stream in the town’s high density suburb of Chikonohono.
His body was discovered near Manyame River trapped in reeds less than a kilometre from the point he tried to cross the stream.
Online Reporter