‘National disaster response mechanisms in place’

to flood situations.
“We have identified higher ground where people can relocate until they are rescued,” he said.
He said alertness to disasters was high with hospitals, the police, ambulance services and other rescue personnel well geared for the season. Mr Pawadyira, however, urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads.
He said they should drive to arrive safely at their destinations.
Drivers, he said, should suspend alcohol intake when they are on the road.
Traditional flash floods areas are Muzarabani, Gokwe North and South, Middle Sabi, Beitbridge, Malipati and Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North.
Personnel from the Civil Protection Unit, ZRP sub-aqua unit, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Meteorological Services Department and Zinwa have visited the areas on awareness campaigns on survival tactics.
The teams identified localised plans for disaster management.
“We are reasonably ready for any disaster.
“Problems might arise with access to some areas if we have flooding. But we will cope,” he said.
Mr Pawadyira said the United Nations Development Programme donated five 4×4 all-terrain vehicles to be used specifically to monitor the situation on the ground.
The vehicles would be stationed in the hot spots with one at head office in Harare.
He said the weather outlook showed that some of the areas could be affected by flash floods as a result of one or two cyclones from the Mozambican channel.
Silted rivers could also pose challenges in the event of floods as they would “easily burst their banks” leading to flooding.
Local authorities in some of the areas have been accused of allowing people to build in low-lying areas that are susceptible to flooding.