Flash floods hit Beitbridge, again

Zim Now Writer

While some were celebrating the rains that have been falling across the country, residents of Beitbridge’s Dulivhadzimu suburb were counting their losses as flash floods hit the flea market and small businesses near the old bus rank.

Heavy rains that pounded the district starting Wednesday evening left most business premises located in a low-lying area near WaMlala Stream submerged in water.

The businesses include salons and beauty parlours, computer repair and accessories shops and furniture shops among others.

Residents of the municipality-owned hostels with about 54 households also lost food, clothes and blankets as a result of the flash floods.

The residents said the floods are a yearly phenomenon, urging council to come up with lasting solutions to the problem.

Chairperson of the District Civil Protection Unit (CPU), Sikhangezile Mafu, said they had set up a technical team led by the Municipality of Beitbridge to assess the immediate needs of those affected.

“We expect the team to urgently assess the damage, segregate the numbers of those affected by age, gender and households so that we may have a clear picture on the extent of help based on each category’s needs,” she said.

She also said technical team must come up with recommendations on the long-term solutions to the challenges, adding that the CPU had since engaged local development agencies to complement government efforts in attending to the immediate needs Dulivhadzimu residents and businesses.

Mafu said sensitisation teams were being sent to educate people in high flood risk areas while calling on schools, churches and those with buildings on higher ground to accommodate any victims.