The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
OVER 100 villagers in Honde Valley were left without roof over their head after their houses were destroyed by a hailstorm that swept across the area over the last two days.
Strong winds accompanying the heavy downpour also left a trail of destruction, rapturing roofs of houses, classroom blocks and shops in the rural parts of Mutasa and Mutare.
Crops were also damaged.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) had forecast heavy downpours in Manicaland, putting the Department of Civil Protection on high alert.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Director (Local Government Services and Administration), Mr John Misi, said they have since activated their preparedness and response systems.
“So far Mutasa and Mutare districts have recorded damages to homes, shops, classroom blocks and crops. A Form One classroom block and Fashion and Fabrics block at Zvavanhu Secondary School in Ward 34 of Mutare Rural were destroyed by violent winds. This comes in the wake of similar destruction of a classroom block at Pimai Primary in Honde Valley in Mutasa. Our District Civil Protection teams are on the ground assessing the situation and areas of possible assistance.
“Communities are urged to remain vigilant, be on high alert and retrofit (maintain) their houses amid such mishaps, which are inevitable given the terrain and our proximity to the ocean. Communities must always embrace the build-better-concept by constructing houses in designated areas. Village heads must take stock of their local communities and assist before, during and after such mishaps or disasters,” he said.
Mr Misi said the provincial contingent plan is in place and is ready to respond to emergencies.
