Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
A total of 25 people lost their lives while more than 3 000 were affected by rain related incidents that also destroyed 569 houses in the country between October last year and 14 March this year.
A total of 60 schools, 44 bridges and 4 health facilities were also damaged. This was captured in the consolidated national report on the 2022 to 2023 rainfall season incidents and damages released recently. According to the report, rains recorded mostly this year left a trail of destruction on houses, roads and bridges infrastructure, schools as well as health facilities.
“The first phase of the rainfall season (October 2022 to December 2022) was characterised by normal rainfall and minimal damages were recorded across the country. However, January 2023 to date has seen the country receiving heavy rainfall associated with strong winds, hailstorms, thunderstorms and lightning. In addition, Tropical Storm Cheneso and the recent Tropical Storm Freddy have left a trail of destruction on houses, roads and bridges infrastructure, schools as well as health facilities. A total of twenty five (25) deaths have been recorded to date,” reads the report.
According to the report, Matabeleland South recorded the highest deaths with the incidents claiming eleven lives. Harare is the most affected with 186 households and 930 people being affected.
“Heavy rains received across the country since November 2022 have resulted in approximately 3104 people being affected, with 25 deaths recorded to date, 569 houses damaged/destroyed, while 44 roads and bridges were damaged. A total of 60 schools and 4 health facilities were also damaged. In Gwanda, seven homesteads were affected in Enyandeni, Siboza, Gwakwe, Matshiya villages and Gwanda Town. 58 people were affected by the strong storms. Three deaths were recorded and four schools were damaged which are Simbumbumbu Primary School, Mtshiya Primary School, Kafusi and Sibona. In Bulilima District, three schools were affected by storms for the month of December which are Kungubo School, Huwana Primary school and Mazwaligwe,” reads the report.
The report says 33 houses were damaged in Matabeleland North with 173 people affected during the rainy season.
“Eleven people died due to drowning and lightning while 22 schools were destructed and roofs were blown off due to heavy rains and strong winds. One roof at a health facility was blown off by heavy winds in Binga. One road and three bridges in Binga were destroyed while two bridges and one dam in Nkayi and 4 roads in Lupane were destroyed,” reads the report.
Meanwhile, the Government continues to undertake measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change induced disasters.
To date, interventions have been made to assist households affected by heavy rains and Tropical Storm Freddy experienced in February and March 2023 and these include the dissemination of early warning information through various platforms such as community radio stations, national radio and television broadcasting networks, District Civil Protection Structure, print media and social media platforms. Government has also to date disbursed a total of ZWL$111 million to hotspots districts in anticipation for Tropical Storm Freddy.
Online Reporter