Floods block Mat'North students from attending lessons

Thousands of pupils in Matabeleland North Province are  not attending lessons as rivers that flow between their homesteads and  schools are flooded.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) on Wednesday said the national dam level average now stands at 62,6%.

According to education officials, schools are recording below 50 percent attendance  as the majority cannot take the risk to cross flooded rivers.

According to state controlled ZBC, Lupane is said to be the worst affected district.

 It has four of the country's major rivers Gwayi, Tshangani, Mbembesi and Bubi that cut across the district while Nkayi North is almost equally affected.

Matabeleland North provincial education director  Boithalelo Mguni is quoted saying that a team from the ministry is scheduled to start assessing the situation in schools  next week.

Early this week, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD)  warned that a tropical cyclone might hit the country on Thursday with Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland provinces expected to be the hardest hit.

It said the cyclone may result in extreme flooding.

The MSD said in case of heavy rains and flooding, if possible, people should stay indoors and off the roads.