The ManicaPost
Post Reporters
OUT of the 487 people that were earmarked to be evacuated from extremely risky areas in Chimanimani ahead of the anticipated Tropical Storm Chalane, sheer resistance saw 118 leaving to safe havens established by Government by Tuesday afternoon.
Chimanimani villagers who are yet to fully recover from the ravages of the March 2019 Cyclone Idai were this week resisting evacuation.
The Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has revealed that Tropical Storm Chalane was expected to sweep across the country starting yesterday (Wednesday) after it reached the Mozambican channel.
The tropical storm reached the Mozambique Channel on Monday and is expected to heavily affect the Eastern Highlands among other places across Zimbabwe.
However, Government’s disaster preparedness efforts in Chimanimani, championed through the district Civil Protection Unit, were dealt a heavy blow as locals resisted moving to evacuation centres.
Locals interviewed by this newspaper cited different reasons for their refusal to be evacuated.
Mr Innocent Ajigi of Muonde Section of Ngangu Township, whose house was the only structure that remained intact after the 2019 Cyclone Idai, said: “I am not going anywhere. I am here to stay. We will cross the bridge when we get there. Guva aritsvairirwi mkoma (Ndau saying meaning one cannot run away from death). No-one knows when they will die. Even that Zupco bus that you want us to get into can be involved in an accident before it reaches Skyline. I was born and bred here. I have no problem dying here.”
Mrs Lizzie Rice-Mashava, said: “We are reluctant to move to the places where Government wants us to move to. We are afraid that thieves will pounce on our properties. If we eventually move, someone will remain behind and that person is the head of the family (the father).”
In an interview on the sidelines of the evacuation exercise on Tuesday afternoon, Chimanimani District Development Coordinator, Mr Joseph Manyurapasi, said of the six Zupco buses that were availed for the initiative, only two had ferried people to Mutambara and St Patrick’s mission schools.
“We have encountered a challenge where some individuals are resisting evacuation. When we started today, we had a number that we expected to move out, but we were told that some moved to their relatives’ places in Nhedziwa. However, we also have a good number of people we are struggling to convince to move especially here in Ngangu. Because of this sunny weather today, some are already thinking that the storm is over. We will do our best to convince them to move to safe places,” he said.
Mr Manyurapasi said they have been carrying out awareness campaigns in all surrounding areas since their first meeting on December 3.
“We have managed to carry out awareness campaigns in different areas, especially in very risky areas like Rusitu and Cashel valleys. We have our CPU teams on the ground carrying out the awareness campaigns. We also identified and visited areas where illegal mining is taking place and told everyone to move out,” he said.
In a separate interview, Chimanimani East legislator, Cde Joshua Saco, weighed in and said: “On the issue of evacuation, Government provided six buses. Unfortunately, we have some individuals resisting to move. It is worrying because we expected everyone to heed the evacuation call. This is why we identified nearby boarding schools like St Patrick’s and Mutambara to accommodate people during this short period.
“The reasons behind their refusal vary. Some people are not taking the issue seriously, while others do not want to be constrained in a boarding school environment,” he said.
“If you check on the landscapes in terms of where we have had landslides before, red zones are in areas close to rivers. These include areas around Machongwe to Vimba. They are along Nyahode and Rusitu rivers. We also have red zone areas like Chikukwa and Skyline,” said Cde Sacco.
A visit to one of the evacuation centres on Tuesday revealed that although people were placed in boarding schools, at St Patrick’s in Nyanyadzi, they were being accommodated in classrooms.
In Chipinge, Greenfuel availed its earthmoving equipment to Mwacheta Village where a river burst its banks and caused flash floods in the area. The area has been receiving heavy downpours from Christmas Day.
Chipinge District CPU chairman, Mr William Mashava, confirmed the development and appealed to development partners to come on board and render any form of assistance.
In Mutare, residents in Zimta, Bernwin and those living in temporary shelter such as in Gimboki and Federation were warned to be alert of the danger anticipated from the Tropical Storm Chalane.
Manicaland CPU chairman, Mr Edgars Seenza, said heavy downpours are likely to cause flooding and landslides in these areas.
“These will pose threats to people and buildings in low lying areas in Mutare.
Lightning, thunder and storms are also expected. We want to call on residents in these areas to vacate their homes until the danger is over. CPU has set up temporary shelter at Chikanga and Dangamvura halls, among other places,” he said.
Mr Seenza also advised those seeking temporary shelter to take with them blankets and food as what will be provided in the housing shelters may be insufficient.
In Makoni, CPU district chairman, Mr Edwin Mashindi, said they had activated all early warning systems in the five constituencies in the district through Government structures, traditional leaders and development partners.
“We have activated our disaster response mechanisms. Information has been disseminated to all corners of the district through all formal structures.
“Our focus is also on people settled close to river banks who are in danger if rivers flood. We have placed people closer to Rusape and Causeway dams on high alert. 26 families who were affected by the construction of Causeway Dam were moved to safe places,” he said.
A flooding alert issued by the Meteorological Services Department yesterday (Wednesday) indicated that the Tropical Storm Chalane made a landfall over Beira in the early hours of Wednesday and was expected to rapidly dissipate, with wind speed reducing from the current 50 knots to 25 knots, as it tracks westward over the rugged hills of the Eastern Highlands.
“These downpours may result in reduced visibility and flash flooding in areas with poor drainage as well as along river basins.
“Mudslides and landslides as well as collapse of walls, due to excessive moisture, remain probable, thus monitoring your immediate environment is essential. Wherever possible, stay indoors,” warned the MSD.
The department also urged the public to watch out for the collapse of huts, houses and fallen trees due to excessive moisture.
“Never attempt to cross fast flowing or flooded rivers and streams whether walking or driving. Stay indoors wherever possible.
“Cooperate with members of the civil protection committee for your safety. Take caution on the roads as they may be treacherous, if you urgently need to travel.
“Keep your emergency kit close and monitor your surroundings. Follow weather updates or call MSD Provincial Officers: Manicaland: +263 712 504 107, Mash East : +263 772 429 036, Masvingo : +263 772 553 286, Main Office: +263 778 911 176,” said the MSD.
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