By Beverly Bizeki
MASVINGO – The hailstorm that battered Masvingo City on Monday has destroyed ZESA powerlines worth an estimated US$300 000, leaving parts of the city without electricity and disrupting water supplies, according to a Civil Protection Unit (CPU) report.
The damage has resulted in a power shortage lasting at least three days and counting, with the disruption also affecting the Bushmead Water Works, which relies on electricity to pump water to residents.
“ZESA powerlines were greatly affected, and the estimated cost is US$300 000. Effects include power shortage. Water supply has also been affected as well due to power supply disruption,” reads part of the CPU report.
The storm also damaged thousands of homes across the city, with approximately 8 500 houses reported to have had their roofs blown off.
The CPU report said most of the affected roofs were asbestos, while windowpanes were shattered at more than 17 000 houses with ZESA expected to disconnect some houses with loose connections to prevent further risks .
“Approximately 8 500 houses had their roofs blown off and some damaged above 90 percent of 17 000 houses had their windowpanes shattered, with most of the affected being asbestos. ZESA has to cut electricity supply to the affected houses since some of the connections have become loose,” reads the report.
The hailstorm also disrupted learning at 21 primary and secondary schools in the city, including Fern Valley Secondary, Makanaka Secondary, Rujeko Primary, Ndarama High, Runyararo SDA, Hellen McGhie, Don Bosco Primary, Mucheke High, Victoria High, Zvinyaningwe Primary, Runyararo Primary, Chikato Government Primary, Dikwindi Primary, Vurombo Primary, Hillside Primary, Rujeko Secondary, Shakashe Primary, ZRP Primary, Shining Stars Primary, Vision Academy and Rasa Private College.
Other institutions affected by the hailstorm include Great Zimbabwe University graduation venue which has resulted in the graduation ceremony postponement.
Mucheke Campus was greatly affected too. Masvingo City Council institutions were also affected including the recently commissioned Runyararo Clinic maternity wing, Mucheke Clinic staff houses and Cambria farm landfill.
Business premises were also affected, with outlets including N. Richards, Pick n Pay, Zhirahuru Complex, Exor, Flamboyant, Chevron and OK reporting roof damage and leakages.At Rujeko B Business Centre, four shops reportedly had their roofs blown off.
The extensive damage has compounded the challenges facing residents, particularly those without electricity and water, as authorities and partners work to assess the extent of the destruction and mobilise assistance.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since declared the disaster a national disaster.Earlier reports indicated that about 67 500 people and 13 500 households were affected by the hailstorm.
