Cyclone Freddy: Govt suspends lessons in 5 provinc...

Cyclone Freddy: Govt suspends lessons in 5 provinces

Cyclone Freddy left a trail of destruction in Madagascar

Zim Now Writer

Government has ordered boarding schools in five provinces to suspend lessons tomorrow as part of mitigatory measures against the expected arrival of Cyclone Freddy.

The cyclone has already hit Madagascar and is now heading towards Mozambique and possibly to our country.

The provinces likely to be worst affected include Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland South and Harare Metropolitan.

In its weather update last night, The Meteorological Services Department, in its weather update last night, urged citizens in the southern parts of the country to be on high alert as a severe tropical Cyclone Freddy is expected to make landfall in the country tomorrow. Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which is now an overland depression will reach its peak intensity of 110km/h and make landfall in the early hours of Friday.

Districts which are expected to be affected include Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Beitbridge, Chivi, Masvingo rural, Zaka, and Bikita with localised heavy rains and strong rains starting today until tomorrow morning.

In a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said government has taken due alert and put in place a number of measures, through its agencies, including the setting up of evacuation centres, deploying aid and medical supplies in government offices in potentially vulnerable districts.

The measures include the directive for boarding schools to suspend lessons while day scholars will not be required to go to school tomorrow.

“The nation is informed that Cabinet noted that Cyclone Freddy has hit Madagascar and is proceeding to Mozambique whereupon it will also affect neighbouring countries, inclusive of Zimbabwe.

“The provinces to be most affected include the following: Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Central and Harare Metropolitan,” said Mutsvangwa.

She added that the cyclone may cause damage along its path, according to weather experts.

“Boarding schools should remain open, but suspend lessons in the affected areas on Friday to reduce the movement of pupils and they should gather students in buildings or dormitories with secure roofs or spaces where they can get covering if the roof is blown off,” said Mutsvangwa.

“Day scholars in affected areas can have Friday off to reduce student movement.”

She said Cabinet has also directed that small-scale miners and artisanal miners should avoid going underground and urged citizens to avoid crossing flooded rivers while public transport operators should operate during daytime.

“Cabinet would like to assure the nation that all these measures are meant to avoid unnecessary loss of life. The public will be kept abreast of all developments on the matter,” she said.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Civil Protection urged citizens to be on high alert for forecasted severe Tropical Storm Freddy.

“We call on all relevant stakeholders and traditional leaders to step up efforts to disseminate information to their various communities in particular all Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South provinces where heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are expected,” read the statement.

“We urge the citizens to take heed of the Meteorological Services Department alerts as they continue monitoring the unfolding situation.

“Citizens should be on the watch for possible flooding, avoid crossing flooded rivers/streams, stay indoors, and avoid artisanal mining on shaky grounds during the period.”

The department said people living in low-lying areas should move to high ground.

District Civil Protection committees have been mobilised countrywide while district development coordinators are expected to be on standby in order for them to be able to respond to any eventualities.