2 die, infrastructure destroyed as heavy rains pou...

2 die, infrastructure destroyed as heavy rains pound Zim

The wreckage of the car in which Bare Secondary School head died after a tree fell on it on Thursday

Zim Now Writer

As heavy rains continue to pound the country, the Head of Bare Secondary School in Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central Province, died after a tree fell on a stationary vehicle she was sitting in while an 80-year-old man was swept away while crossing a flooded river in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province on Thursday.

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms have been falling across the country as the Meteorological Services Department warned that the trend may continue until tomorrow.

The most affected provinces by yesterday were Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland South and parts of Manicaland and Midlands where some houses and schools were damaged.

Bindura — which has recorded storms of above average intensity — saw the provincial hospital lose the roof of its laboratory, the fence around the Government complex flattened, and several houses losing their roofs on Thursday.

Department of Civil Protection chief director Nathan Nkomo said his office was in contact with those overseeing damage control, and was responding to queries from traditional leaders and those in the provinces.

“A lot of travellers have been in touch with us so far. We had engagements with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and they have since issued a circular over Manicaland and Masvingo having strong winds and heavy rains,” he said.

“Mashonaland Central experienced strong winds and heavy rainfall which resulted in damage to property and a fatality. In Bindura’s Chiwaridzo, Garikai and Cleverhill suburbs, roofs were blown off. The provincial hospital laboratory’s roof was blown away while the fence surrounding the Government complex was razed to the ground.

“In Mazowe’s Ward 15, 16 and 23 electricity poles and trees were uprooted. In Ward 3, a tree was uprooted and fell on top of a stationary vehicle that had two occupants. One occupant, who was the head of Bare Secondary School, died on the spot while the other occupant was seriously injured and has been admitted in hospital.”

In Mwenenzi, Masvingo province, three houses in Ward 13 of Chingwizi area were damaged while in Zaka roofs of Muparuri Primary School in Ward 7 were blown off by the wind,” Nkomo said.

The department of civil protection is erecting tents as temporary classrooms where classrooms have been damaged so that schools can re-open normally on Monday.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said regional and national early warning systems continue monitoring and advising them to foster readiness for all hazards associated with the current rainfall season.

“The Civil Protection Department continues to work with local authorities, traditional leaders, humanitarian and development partners, the private sector, faith-based organisations, communities and other stakeholders in saving lives and property.

“The Provincial and District Development Coordinators, local authorities, incorporating ward and village structures at the community level are encouraged to work hand-in-glove in disaster risk reduction, as has been the tradition.”