By Shongedzai Mugwagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who cut short his foreign trip to United Arab Emirates, has jetted in this morning and has commended authorities for their efforts to help those affected by Cyclone Idai.

President Mnangagwa said that the nation was deeply grieved by the traits of destruction left by the cyclone which has resulted in the loss of human lives and a trail of infrastructure decimations in Manicaland province.

Soon after arriving at the Airport, President Mnangagwa told reporters that Government has deployed the Military Special Forces wing to carry-out rescue operations in places not accessible by road or air due to strong winds and fog as well as destroyed bridges and roads.

Manicaland province was the most affected province and Government through Civil Protection Unit immediately responded to offer assistance to the victims. An Interministerial Task Force has set up a command centre in Manicaland.

Efforts for swift rescue operations were intermittently hindered by the weather patterns which made it impossible for Army helicopters to reach the most affected areas due to strong winds ranging between 165 and 200 km per hour.

Fortunately, the military has managed to rescue school children from St Charles Luanga and other areas by navigating in the harsh conditions on foot and crossing flooded rivers.

The CPU has appealed to the general public not to congest the roads that lead to the affected areas so as to guarantee easy access to rescue operations and aid.