The derelict Chipinda Bridge (in the background) fascinates many in its state of disrepair
….Chipinda
Bridge remains stuck in disrepair
Bridge remains stuck in disrepair
….Chilonga
Bridge still the same
Bridge still the same
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – People
living to the south of the mighty Runde River say they find it odd that there
seems to be a swift government response to the damage wrought on infrastructure
by Cyclone Idai when their areas still suffers effects of Cyclone Eline.
living to the south of the mighty Runde River say they find it odd that there
seems to be a swift government response to the damage wrought on infrastructure
by Cyclone Idai when their areas still suffers effects of Cyclone Eline.
Cyclone Eline pounded much of the
country in 2000, with Chiredzi suffering from collapsed houses and destroyed
infrastructure.
country in 2000, with Chiredzi suffering from collapsed houses and destroyed
infrastructure.
One significant piece of infrastructure
that was destroyed is Chipinda Bridge which straddled Runde River and acted as
the safest crossing point for people travelling from Chiredzi South to Chiredzi
North and West.
that was destroyed is Chipinda Bridge which straddled Runde River and acted as
the safest crossing point for people travelling from Chiredzi South to Chiredzi
North and West.
The bridge has remained neglected
despite numerous pre-election promises by politicians that it will be repaired.
despite numerous pre-election promises by politicians that it will be repaired.
The false promises have meant more
difficulties crossing the river especially during the rainy season when the
alternative Chilonga Bridge, which is very narrow and low-lying, gets easily
flooded.
difficulties crossing the river especially during the rainy season when the
alternative Chilonga Bridge, which is very narrow and low-lying, gets easily
flooded.
Villagers always use makeshift
boats to cross the flooded river every rainy season, and many people have been
swept away in the process.
boats to cross the flooded river every rainy season, and many people have been
swept away in the process.
An old resident of Chilonga said he
felt government was not allocating the country’s resources fairly as his area
remains neglected 19 years after Cyclone Eline.
felt government was not allocating the country’s resources fairly as his area
remains neglected 19 years after Cyclone Eline.
“We heard that they have set aside $50
million dollars in reconstruction and aid relief for victims of Cyclone Idai
especially those in Chimanimani and Chipinge where the floods were severest. But
we too are survivors of floods that happened 19 years ago. We did not receive
any compensation, counseling or any support to rebuild our lives.
million dollars in reconstruction and aid relief for victims of Cyclone Idai
especially those in Chimanimani and Chipinge where the floods were severest. But
we too are survivors of floods that happened 19 years ago. We did not receive
any compensation, counseling or any support to rebuild our lives.
Mvumvumvu Bridge in Chimanimani was destroyed by Idai
“We know the current floods have
been said to be more serious than those we experienced back then but we honestly
feel we are also owed support. Chipinda Bridge remains unrepaired and Chilonga
Bridge has not been upgraded. Every year our people die trying to cross the
flooded river,” said the senior citizen.
been said to be more serious than those we experienced back then but we honestly
feel we are also owed support. Chipinda Bridge remains unrepaired and Chilonga
Bridge has not been upgraded. Every year our people die trying to cross the
flooded river,” said the senior citizen.
When
Cyclone Idai began on Saturday last week, a Chiwara bus which plies the rugged
road between Chiredzi town and Chiwara, slid backwards into the river while
trying to negotiate the steep, muddy slope that immediately succeeds the
low-lying Chilonga Bridge.
Cyclone Idai began on Saturday last week, a Chiwara bus which plies the rugged
road between Chiredzi town and Chiwara, slid backwards into the river while
trying to negotiate the steep, muddy slope that immediately succeeds the
low-lying Chilonga Bridge.
Many
people said there were no fatalities and serious casualties from the accident
simply because the river did not have much water.
people said there were no fatalities and serious casualties from the accident
simply because the river did not have much water.
In
the neighbouring Zaka and Bikita districts, more than 100 houses were destroyed,
with many people now in need of alternative shelter and food aid.
the neighbouring Zaka and Bikita districts, more than 100 houses were destroyed,
with many people now in need of alternative shelter and food aid.
