Heavy rains ravage Zaka

VILLAGERS in Zaka have been left counting their losses after the recent rains that pounded the district over the past few weeks left a trail of destruction, particularly on infrastructure.

Most roads across the rural parts of the district have been rendered almost impassable. Some villagers have since resorted to walking long distances of up to 15 kilometres to get transport after the rains made some areas inaccessible.

Cde Bernard Chinaka, Ward 27 Councillor in Zaka West, said the road network across most parts of the district was now appalling.

“We have been severely affected by the heavy rains that have been falling here after destroying roads and low-lying bridges in most areas,’’ he said.

Cde Chinaka said some areas in Bangala had been completely cut off from the rest of the district after bridges were swept away by floods that followed last week’s heavy rains.

He appealed to the District Development Fund to urgently repair roads in the area.

“Good roads are the pulling factors for investment and we urge Government, through DDF, to rehabilitate roads that were battered by rains, because in some areas, even sick people are walking very long distances to access transport to ferry them to the nearest clinic,’’ he said.

Headman Mushaya (Mr Jona Mugarajira) said it would be a nightmare for farmers to transport their produce to the market unless the roads were rehabilitated.