Floods cut off Chiredzi villagers
VILLAGERS in southern parts of Chiredzi have been completely cut off from the rest of the country following heavy rains that flooded five major bridges in the area over the past few weeks.
The floods have cut off villagers in southern parts of Chikombedzi from the district commercial capital of Chiredzi after both Mupapa and Chilonga bridges along Runde River were completely covered by water.
Chiredzi South constituency Member of Parliament Brigadier General Kalisto Gwanetsa (Retired) said food and medicine, among other critical requirements for villagers in southern Chiredzi, were not being moved after the key bridges were submerged by flood water.
“We have gone for over two weeks now with all our major link bridges submerged,” he said. “At the moment, people cannot cross Runde River at Chilonga and Mupapa bridges because they are covered in flood water.
“Crossing Mwenezi River is also not possible because major bridges are under water. The Makondi Bridge along Mwenezi River in Gonarezhou National Park is currently submerged. People in Chiredzi South have no access to Chiredzi Town at the moment.’’
Brig-Gen Gwanetsa said the transport system between Chiredzi and Chikombedzi had been crippled by the floods in Runde and Mwenezi rivers, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
“Our bridges are low-lying which makes them susceptible to floods and we are appealing to Government to build bigger bridges, particularly at Chilonga which is the shortest link between Chiredzi Town and Chikombedzi,’’ he said.
Brig-Gen Gwanetsa bemoaned the damage caused by floods on the recently rehabilitated road network in rural Chiredzi.
Chairman of the Chiredzi District Civil Protection Unit Mr Lovemore Chisema warned villagers not to attempt crossing the flooded rivers.
Mr Chisema, who is also the Chiredzi District Administrator, urged villagers in flood-hit areas to consider using longer, but safe routes to their preferred destinations instead of trying to cross flooded rivers.
Villagers in Chikombedzi appealed for Government to rebuild some major bridges in the area, most of which were damaged by cyclone-induced rains at the turn of the millennium.