Manicaland, please take heed
As evacuations have begun in Manicaland province ahead of the impending tropical Cyclone Chalane that is expected to hit Chimanimani and surrounding areas by Thursday, it is important for residents in the area to pay heed to warnings and advice from the Meteorological department and other relevant authorities.
Manicaland Province development coordinator and the Meteorological department say that from December 31 to January 02, the tropical depression will hit Manicaland Province and nearby areas.
They have identified three evacuation centres — St Patricks High School, Nyanyadzi, Rusike and Nyanyadzi Training Centre — and about 300 people would be accommodated at these centres while nine will be at Rusike.
The Civil Protection Unit is also on high alert for the disaster and would provide full details subsequent to further consultations from involved stakeholders. Tropical Depression Chalane has caused massive flooding in Madagascar, killing more than 30 people.
Everyone remembers Cyclone Idai whose devastating effects are still being felt in Chimanimani, Manicaland Province and surrounding areas.
Cyclone Idai killed more than 300 people, left hundreds missing while 20 000 were displaced as property worth millions of dollars was destroyed in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
We do not want a repeat of that horror and one sure way of preventing that is to listen to the authorities especially when the orders are to evacuate.
It may be painful to leave one’s house and property but if that is done to save your life, it is all worth it.
Nothing is more important than life.
It is also important to prepare for actions to follow as you evacuate.
Firstly, it is important to remain calm, especially if you have younger children or elderly people living with you. Understand that the evacuation order is for everyone’s safety and figure out a plan about where you are going to go. The best place to go is to a friend’s or relative’s home out of the warning area or on elevated ground. Also, the Red Cross chapter may set up evacuation shelters in schools or churches across the area as has been done with the aforementioned areas.
When you are preparing to leave your home, move all valuables to higher ground like on top of beds and tables. This will prevent these items from being damaged should you have water come into your house.
When deciding what to pack, take enough clothes for 2-3 days of evacuation time. Even if you won’t be gone that long, you will need as much as possible. You should also take some food.
Tell everyone in your family to pack anything important to them such as pictures of friends or anything that has to do with a favourite hobby. They will have something to comfort them as well as having things that are guaranteed to not be ruined by possible damage.