Heavy rains pounding various parts of the country have prompted the Bulawayo Fire Brigade to deploy emergency teams in several suburbs where streams and rivers pose significant risks to schoolchildren and residents.
The city has
received substantial rainfall over the past few days, overwhelming emergency
services as distress calls flood in from residents stranded by rising water
levels in rivers and streams.
On Tuesday,
flash floods in the city’s western suburbs claimed the life of a three-year-old
boy, Sibusiso Methembe Moyo, who was swept away near a storm drain.
The toddler was
in the company of his older brother when the tragedy occurred. His body was
discovered yesterday along the banks of a small stream.
Uncontrolled
dumping of waste and streambank cultivation have been identified as major
contributors to the flooding that hit parts of the city’s western suburbs
following torrential rains lasting over eight hours. Bulawayo’s chief fire
officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo, said the Fire Brigade had been inundated with calls
from concerned residents, particularly those worried about schoolchildren at
risk of drowning in flooded waterways. In response, emergency teams were
deployed to key flood-prone areas.
“The city
recorded significant rainfall on Tuesday, and we made a proactive decision to
deploy teams to problematic streams and rivers that have, in the past, claimed
lives when flooded,” he said.
Mr Moyo said
one such team was stationed in Pumula South, in the Makoni area, where a stream
separates a school from nearby homes. Many schoolchildren are forced to cross
the stream daily, exposing them to danger when water levels rise.
A Chronicle
news crew yesterday observed schoolchildren crossing a low-lying bridge along a
stream in Pumula South. In one instance, an older boy carried a younger
schoolmate on his back while rainwater surged around them.
“Residents
underestimate that stream but it is dangerous when flooded and the Fire Brigade
is appealing to parents and guardians to pick up their children from school
during the rainy season,” said Mr Moyo.
Another team
was deployed at a low-lying bridge along Phekiwe River on Tuesday afternoon
after heavy downpours left the area submerged. Many primary schoolchildren from
Rangemore suburb cross this bridge daily to attend school in nearby Nkulumane.
“Phekiwe River
divides parts of Nkulumane 12 and Upper Rangemore.
\It is one of the most flood-prone areas where we deployed emergency personnel. Our firefighters assisted schoolchildren in crossing safely after heavy rains pounded the area,” said Mr Moyo.
He advised
residents to seek shelter at designated safe points, including Nkulumane 12
Clinic, Mgombane Primary School, Nkulumane Police Station, and Mandwandwe High
School, whenever the Phekiwe River Bridge is flooded.
“It’s important
for the Fire Brigade to stay pro-active and deploy teams to problematic streams
and rivers which pose a risk to residents, especially school kids,” said Mr
Moyo. Chronicle
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