Clayton Shereni
In
2014, Masvingo Province received heavy rains which swelled the giant Tugwi-Mukosi
dam displacing over 3 000 families and destroying with it millions of dollars’
worth of property and livestock.
The current
rains being received in the province are a reminiscent of the chilling February
2014 downpours which caused the Tugwi-Mukosi national disaster as the dam has
now reached a record 86 percent and the rains continue.
The continuous
swelling of Tugwi-Mukosi dam over the past weeks has posed a threat to the
people living downstream prompting the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to be on
high alert.
The CPU
and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) have reportedly alerted families
living downstream of the imminent danger as the rains keep pounding.
Tributaries
pouring into the dam are reportedly full to capacity and Muzhwi dam which is
upstream of Tugwi Mukosi is also spilling.
Speaking
to TellZim News, Masvingo’s Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC), Jefter
Sakupwanya said they were doing awareness with District Development
Coordinators (DDCs) in the areas likely to be affected in the event the dam
spills.
“What
is critical at this stage is to intensify awareness especially to communities
downstream because if the dam begins to spill they will be affected.
“This
is what we are doing with three DDC’S from Chivi, Masvingo and Chiredzi working
with traditional leaders so that we make people aware of the dangers of the
possible spilling,” said Sakupwanya.
He also
said that communities downstream should be re ready to move to safer places
which have already been identified.
“People
living downstream should be ready to evacuate those places and go to higher
grounds. We had already identified safe places to house during the alert of
Cyclone Chalane so we have places readily available,” said Sakupwanya.
Masvingo
province has been experiencing flash floods in recent weeks and many people
have lost valuable while some have been swept away.
A
family was marooned in Chiredzi, four lives were reportedly lost while some
families lost valuables in Chivi after the area received substantial rains
which prompted flooding of rivers and other areas with bad drainage.
