Zim villagers airlifted out of flood zones
http://www.swradioafrica.com/2013/01/22/zim-villagers-airlifted-out-of-flood-zones/
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By Alex Bell
22 January 2013
Ongoing heavy rainfall continues to cause chaos across the country, leading
to the closure of the Beitbridge border over the weekend and the rescue by
helicopter of stranded villagers.
A helicopter from the Air Force was dispatched on Monday to rescue villagers
in the Binga district, where flooding has washed away several homes.
SW Radio Africa’s correspondent Lionel Saungweme reported on Tuesday that 16
people from the Kalungwizi area were rescued on Monday after they were
caught out by flash floods. He said most villagers had evacuated the area
but some had stayed to try and tend their crops.
“There are reports yet of deaths. 16 people were airlifted out of the area.
Local councillors are now trying to put together a welfare bundle to help
the villagers,” Saungweme reported.
Flooding has also brought misery to the Beitbridge district, where over the
weekend at least 42 more people were stranded at Chituripasi Village. An Air
Force helicopter was sent to rescue the villagers, who are now living in
tents provided by the Beitbridge Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
Three children have also died as a result of the floods. Two of the deceased
children, aged five and nine, died at Mawale Village, some 20km east of
Beitbridge town. They were trapped when the hut they were in collapsed in
the rain. A third child aged four reportedly died in similar circumstances
at Tshituripasi, according to the CPU.
The CPU has also said that 19 adults and 24 children have sought refuge at
Tshituripasi Police Post after their 14 homes were destroyed by the rains.
Meanwhile the Beitbridge border was temporarily closed on Sunday night
because of flood water. It was only reopened on Monday.