By MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING
SUBJECT: INTERIM SITUATION REPORT IMPACTOF CYCLONE DINEO .
Impacts of Cyclone Dineo continue to unravel in the Midlands and Matabeleland Provinces affecting homesteads, the road network and bridges as well as small to medium dams particularly for the following areas;
Umzingwane District: Several homesteads in Esihlengeni area succumbed to excessive moisture and heavy rains on Friday 17th February.
Matopo Kezi District: Three homesteads were encircled by Tuli River on Friday 17th February. Altogether 21 people were trapped. The local headman mobilised the community and successfully rescued the families.
Zvishavane District: A child was marooned in the Ngezi River near Buhwa on Friday 17th February. The ZRP Sub Aqua team successfully rescued the child despite the difficult swift currents and the dim lighting as it was dusk.
Insiza District: The southern parts of the district experienced unprecedented flooding on Friday 17th February rendering it inaccessible as rivers were all full and bridges were overflowing and damaged. The road network was badly damaged in some places. Several small dams failed. Wanezi River bursts its banks up to a kilometre in places as result some families in the Mazeya self evacuated and spent the night at the local school. The water pump at Filabusi Town was submerged.
Gwanda District: The road network and bridges were badly damaged in some areas.
Bulilima District: Several homesteads in Makhulela Ward 9, Bambadzi Ward 10 and Huwana Ward 8 are badly damaged with water moving freely within homesteads on the night of 18th February 2017. The District Civil Protection Committee is in the field assisting the affected.
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City of Bulawayo: A number of homes were flooded and the local fire brigade responded. The affected areas include Mahatshula which was affected by the flooded Umguza River and Four winds affected by a local stream. Kingsdale, Emganwini, Nketa 8 and Cowdry Park had incidents of flooded premises. A building housing Nandos partially collapsed injuring 4 people who were hospitalised. The cause is yet to be determined.
Mberengwa District: About 10 homes were badly damaged 6 of them severely in ward 28 on 18th February 2017. A male adult drowned on Mwenezi River from a canoe accident.
Tsholotsho District: Six homes were badly damaged in Dinyane ward 15 on 17th February 2017. A community in the Siphepha area has been marooned by Gwayi River. Both Zimbabwe Defence Forces and ZRP Sub Aqua have dispatched teams to work with the District Civil Protection Committee.
Key interventions: Civil Protection Committees in all the affected areas are actively conducting damage assessments and rendering assistance as necessary. Zimbabwe Red Cross is assisting with tarpaulins and other relief. The National Civil Protection Committee is dispatching teams to support the districts.
Public Alert: Indications from Meteorological Services Department are that the northern areas of the country will continue receiving rains from the 18 to the 22nd of February. Cumulative precipitation is expected to exceed 150mm for the western and central areas of the country.
Accordingly the public is being urged to continue to take necessary measures in case of flooding and ensure that homes are safe.
Issued by the Directorate of Civil Protection 19th February 2017 at 13 00hrs
MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING
Department of Civil Protection
Private Bag 7706
Causeway
ZIMBABWE
E-mail: eprzim@eprzim.co.zw
Web: www.zimdrm.gov.zw Tel: +263 4 791287
+263 4 792478
Fax: +263 4 703715
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