As Rains Pile Up, Zimbabwe Authorities Warn Residents Near Kariba Dam
Civil Protection Department Director Madzudzo Pawadyira said his agency had
warned authorities that it may need assistance in the event of flooding and
has already started issuing tents and supplies to vulnerable areas
Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye | Washington 21 January 2011
With heavy rainfall continuing in the Southern African region, Zimbabwe’s
Civil Protection Department is urging people who live near Kariba Dam in
Mashonaland West province to move to higher ground before its flood gates
are opened to ease mounting pressure.
Officials issued flood warnings this week as rains swept Southern Africa
causing scores of deaths in South Africa and Mozambique and ravaging crops
in Zimbabwe.
Civil Protection Department Director Madzudzo Pawadyira said his agency had
warned related authorities that it may need urgent assistance in the event
of flooding and has already started issuing tents and supplies to area
susceptible to floods.
Pawadyira said flooding was reported in Tongogara, Middle Sabi and Chipinge,
all in Manicaland province, but had subsided due to a respite in the rains.
He said traditional flood prone areas needed to be watched included lowlands
around Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central province, Beitbridge in
Matebeleland South province, Tsholotsho in Matebeleland North, Gokwe in
Midlands.
Pawadyira told VOA Studio 7 reportern Marvellous Mhlanga Nyahuye that his
agency has launched a massive awareness campaign to instruct inhabitants of
low lying areas to take timelyl precautions against possible flooding.
In the event of flooding, Pawadyira said people should move to higher
ground, avoid crossing rivers and draw on their knowledge of local rivers to
determine safe crossings should need arise, and to find secure shelter until
flooding subsides.