Floods Displace Hundreds in Masvingo Region
Tatenda Gumbo
17.01.2013
WASHINGTON — Some 150 families have been evacuated from their homes after
heavy rains in Chiredzi on Wednesday night caused massive flooding.
The families, many of them Triangle Limited employees, are now in tents set
up by the sugar manufacturing firm and the local civil aviation authority.
The families have also received blankets and some food.
Officials said flood waters are as high as one metre deep in some areas.
They are now asking the government and foreign donors to assist victims.
Chiredzi Central lawmaker Mose Mare told VOA the floods have devastated the
livelihoods of the affected families.
Chiredzi resident Victor Nyahuma, who said he lost most of his belongings in
the flood, indicated that he woke up at night to find himself surrounded by
water in his home.
“I was awaken by a very hard knock on my door only find out that I was
knee-deep in water … I was able to only get hold of my certificates and
cellphone.”
Nyahuma said he worked with neighbors to assist those trapped in their
homes.
As heavy rains continue, the Meteorological Services Department has warned
that there may be more flooding in low-lying areas of the country.
Zimbabweans are being urged to practice extreme caution, know local weather
patterns and areas prone to flooding.
Though there are no deaths reported from last the flooding in Masvingo
region, officials said four people are missing after they tried to drive
over a flooded river in Chiredzi over the weekend.