by Staff Reporter
Government has released ZWL$100 million to cater for emergencies that might be caused by Tropical Depression Chalane that is expected to hit the eastern parts of the country this week.
In a statement yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said the money has been released to Civil Protection Units (CPU) in Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West Provinces, and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“Following the early warning issued by the Meteorological Services Department, Government, under the Emergency Services Sub Committee, convened its first preparedness planning meeting on 23 December 2020 and came up with an action plan. Treasury released ZWL$100 million towards implementation of the action plan which was distributed among Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West Provinces, and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister further said Government has put in place measures to mitigate against the effects of Tropical Depression Chalane.
“We have identified and equipped evacuation centres with tents, blankets, food items, toiletries and other essentials. We have already started evacuation of people to safer areas. Every district expected to be affected by the tropical depression has come up with evacuation plans which are being coordinated by Government and other stakeholders,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa further said that Government has launched awareness and publicity campaigns using traditional media such as television and radio. Sub Aqua units from the Zimbabwe Republic Police and personnel from Zimbabwe Defence Forces have also been deployed to assist potential victims of the storm.
The Minister informed the nation that construction companies such as Masimba Construction Company (Manicaland), Fossil Contracting (Midlands), Bitumen (Matabeleland South and North), Tensor (Mashonaland East), Exodus (Masvingo) and J.R Goddard in Manicaland have pledged their earth moving equipment to assist in cases of emergency.
Minister Mutsvangwa urged Zimbabweans to adhere to warnings from the Meteorological Services Department and the Civil Protection Unit (CPU). She further urged citizens to be on the lookout for flash flooding, mudslides, landslides, falling debris from destructive winds and open drains that may be covered with water.
According to reports, Chalane made landfall in Mozambique’s Sofala Province, in the early hours of yesterday. Areas of Sofala Province that were impacted by Chalane include Dondo, Beira City and Buzi, which were struck by Cyclone Idai in March 2019.
Some damage has been reported, including in resettlement sites where people displaced by Cyclone Idai were staying in temporary shelters in Mozambique. The storm is expected to be less violent when it reaches Zimbabwe.
