PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of
Disaster in respect to areas in Manicaland province that were affected by
Cyclone Idia, which has claimed 31 lives and displaced 200 people, most of them
in Chimanimani and Chipinge.
Among the casualties were two learners and a security
officer from St Charles Lwanga High School, including 10 victims from Ngangu
Township in Chimanimani, which was the most affected. More than a 100 people
are still missing.
The declaration, which also covers areas likely to be
affected by the cyclone, allows the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to support
communities and provide relief. Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga
yesterday extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
“On behalf of Government and the nation, and on my of
behalf, I wish to express my condolences to the bereaved families affected by
this disaster and to wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Given this tragic
loss of lives, the general devastation registered so far and the continuing
torrential rains, His Excellency, the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa, has declared a State of Disaster in respect of the affected areas or
areas likely to be affected by Cyclone Idai in terms of Subsection (1) of
Section 27 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06),” he said.
Areas that currently lie in Cyclone Idai path include
Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, parts of
Masvingo and Midlands provinces. Harare and Matabeleland provinces are also
likely to be affected.
Acting President Chiwenga said “Government is working
around the clock to manage this unfolding disaster”.
President Mnangagwa last night commended the army, “local
and international partners” for leading the rescue efforts in perilous
conditions, which made it impossible to deploy helicopters and access some of
the worst affected areas.
In a tweet last night, the President, who is away on an
official State visit to the United Arab Emirates, wrote: “My thoughts and
prayers are with all those affected by Cyclone Idai. Rescue operations are
underway and we are grateful for the bravery of the men and women of the
Zimbabwean armed forces who, along with our local and international partners,
are participating in the urgent rescue efforts.”
Yesterday, rescuers braved inclement weather conditions as
they battled to reach survivors. The army also undertook a ground operation to
rescue 197 pupils who were marooned at St Charles Lwanga. There is, however, hope that the rains would
soon let up as the cyclone has weakened into a tropical depression, making it
possible for rescuers to get into the affected areas. The Meteorological
Services Department (MSD) said it expects “a significant decline” in rains by
tomorrow.
“It is now a tropical depression which is subsiding and
Monday (tomorrow) should see a significant decline in precipitation across the
country if this situation is maintained. Going forward, the depression is
expected to be controlling the weather over much of the country,” said the MSD
in a statement yesterday.
Cyclone Idai — which is the worst weather-related disaster
to affect the country after Cyclone Eline that claimed 91 lives — made a
landfall in Mozambique on Thursday. It subsequently barrelled through
Manicaland resulting in torrential rains. By yesterday afternoon, the cyclone’s
epicentre hovered over Rusitu Valley in Chimanimani. The MSD reported that the
rainfall at Chisengu Estate in Chimanimani, at 407mm, broke a 37-year record of
169mm.
The Mukandi area — also in Chimanimani — recorded 203mm,
breaking the record of 141mm measured in March 1976. Other areas that received
intense rainfall include: Nyanga (145mm), both Rusape and Zaka (97mm), Buhera
(91mm), Wedza (86mm), Marondera (65mm) and Chisumbanje (48mm).
Chimanimani East Member of Parliament Hon Joshua Sacco
yesterday said while the CPU had mobilised helicopters, the weather conditions
made it impossible to deploy them. The demand, he said, was extensive.
Authorities are actively working with partners including
the Red Cross Society, MSF and Mercy Corps who have provided water treatment
chemicals, washing soap, mosquito nets, boots, gloves, blankets and tents. Two
Command Centres were established at Mhandarume Centre for those rescued in
Chimanimani and Christine School for victims from the Rusitu area.
Acting Manicaland CPU chairperson Mr Wilson Bore said in
Chipinge 67 homes were destroyed, while 20 were destroyed in Mutare District.
Electricity power lines were damaged in Mutare Urban, cutting off power supply
to some areas.
“More than 200 learners and their teachers at St Charles
(Lwanga), 13 Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company employees who were staying
at Mawenje Lodge in Chimanimani and six villagers were marooned and are still
to be rescued as the rains are still pounding the area,” said Mr Bore.
In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF chief whip the party’s
secretary for youth affairs, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, called on Zimbabweans to
join hands and help the stricken families.
“We as Zanu-PF Parliamentarians have decided to contribute
a minimum of $100 each towards helping our brothers and sisters in the affected
areas. Considering the damage and trial of destruction our contributions are
indeed a drop in the ocean, but a good start nonetheless as we help communities
in need of assistance. Apart from cash donations legislators can also donate in
kind, things like blankets, tents, drinking water and other items because the
situation is desperate.”
Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Cde Mike Madiro
said there is a need to intensify efforts to assist the victims.
Cyclone Idai has since claimed more than 400 lives in
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. Sunday
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