News / National
10 die in floods, 16 marooned
03 Jan 2015 at 14:08hrs | Views
10 people have so far died in separate flooding incidents in Mashonaland West province, and 16 others need urgent rescue from an island where they are marooned.
The first incident saw eight people dying after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by the flooded Ngwazani river between Battlefields and ZIMPLATS, while two others were swept away by flooded Angwa river.
Initial reports indicated that seven people had died from the Ngwazani disaster but the death toll has since risen to eight.
Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba told the ZBC that an initial head count provided by witnesses had omitted a baby whose body was found amongst the dead during a recovery operation.
Preliminary reports suggest seven of the dead are close relatives while the driver is a family friend.
The family was driving to ZIMPLATS mine for the weekend when disaster struck.
Witnesses say the driver failed to heed warnings by other drivers who had parked their vehicles as the river burst its banks.
The other incident at Angwa river, which has so far claimed two lives, saw eight people being marooned on an island along the flooded river, and six of them survived by holding on to branches, and are still trapped on the island.
The Civil Protection Unit says helicopters can not fly due to bad weather, thereby hampering rescue operations.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba warned people not to cross flooded rivers in the wake of the incessant rains nationwide.
She also advised people living in low lying or flood prone areas to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
The first incident saw eight people dying after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by the flooded Ngwazani river between Battlefields and ZIMPLATS, while two others were swept away by flooded Angwa river.
Initial reports indicated that seven people had died from the Ngwazani disaster but the death toll has since risen to eight.
Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba told the ZBC that an initial head count provided by witnesses had omitted a baby whose body was found amongst the dead during a recovery operation.
Preliminary reports suggest seven of the dead are close relatives while the driver is a family friend.
Witnesses say the driver failed to heed warnings by other drivers who had parked their vehicles as the river burst its banks.
The other incident at Angwa river, which has so far claimed two lives, saw eight people being marooned on an island along the flooded river, and six of them survived by holding on to branches, and are still trapped on the island.
The Civil Protection Unit says helicopters can not fly due to bad weather, thereby hampering rescue operations.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba warned people not to cross flooded rivers in the wake of the incessant rains nationwide.
She also advised people living in low lying or flood prone areas to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Source - zbc
