Heed flood warnings
RECENT warnings to communities around Tugwi-Mukosi dam that it is set to spill should be taken seriously.
The flooding of the dam basin and downstream areas, owing to incessant rains which have seen the water level rising, is imminent.
Everyone remembers the tragedy, which hit the same area seven years ago, when flooding wreaked havoc in Masvingo Province.
Tugwi-Mukosi residents lost their homes, clothes, properties and even their livestock to the floods.
The Government and the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), and other partners, had to join hands and work around the clock to avert loss of life at Tugwi-Mukosi.
Cabinet ministers, senior Government officials, soldiers, police officers and friends from other countries such as Namibia and Mozambique, worked tirelessly to ensure there was no loss of life.
Residents, who have been warned, need to take special precautions and also to heed the warnings.
People should also know what to do when the inevitable happens.
The same danger is also imminent in Manicaland as news broke that the tropical depression, which developed in Mozambique on Sunday, has evolved into a tropical storm named Ana.
It is projected to bring localised heavy rains and strong winds to Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are threatened by floods this week as the Meteorological
Services Department said Tropical Storm Ana was also expected to intensify just before it landed on the coast of Mozambique yesterday.
After that, intense rains were expected in the region north of Beira yesterday and then to southern Malawi today before reaching the southern districts of Manicaland province, soon after.
From today, until Thursday, heavy rains, above 50 mm, are expected in all Mashonaland provinces and Manicaland.
Chipinge, Chimanimani, Mutare, Mutasa, Nyanga, Mudzi, UMP, Rushinga, Mt Darwin, Centenary,
Mbire, Northern Hurungwe and Kariba districts are all at risk.
People in these areas are, therefore, encouraged to stay indoors during thunderstorms and heavy rains, avoid crossing flooded rivers, whether on foot or in vehicles, and to move to safer areas, if living in low-lying areas.
In the event of flooding, they are also encouraged to remain calm, especially if they have younger children or elderly people living with them.
They must also understand and strictly follow the evacuation orders they will get from the CPU or other related authorities.
When deciding what to pack, they should take enough clothes for 2-3 days of evacuation time.
They should also take some food. It’s all about hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst, and how people prepare for the inevitable danger could be key in saving lives.