The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
A violent storm hit parts of Chiredzi District on Friday last week leaving a trail of destruction after blowing off roofs and leaving over 60 households in need of assistance.
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator Mr Lovemore Chisema confirmed the incident and said the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) was still assessing the situation.
“We are doing some assessments, but basically it is about shelter and food. As CPU, we are working, through the Social Welfare Department, to ensure that we get grain whilst we are also waiting for other partners to come in and assist with tents and food hampers.
“On the 31st of December late in the day there was a strong violent wind with very few rains and in some parts of the district there was a hailstorm. The most affected are Wards 20 and 29, which are in Chiredzi North and Ward 27, which is in Chiredzi West,” said Mr Chisema.
He added that in Ward 20, about 20 households were affected where in some areas roofs were blown off, some partially and others completely destroyed. He said in Ward 29, 35 households were affected while nine households were affected in Ward 27.
Mr Chisema said the areas that were most affected were the resettlements where some of the structures were not strong enough to resist the heavy rains and strong winds.
“The areas we are talking about are in the resettlement areas and some of the structures are not very strong to withstand such strong winds and at the end of the day they are exposed.”
He urged communities to take into consideration such unforeseen weather vagaries as strong winds and violent storms, which were a result of climate change when constructing their houses.
Mr Chisema said they should make sure they use durable materials.
