Suburbs runs dry

MOST parts of Victoria Falls were without water on Tuesday and yesterday after a pipe linking Mkhosana suburb to the main supply point burst, a development that has affected some hotels.

Residents of Mkhosana, Chinotimba and low density area woke up to dry tapes on Tuesday following the shutdown.

The industrial area and Central Business District, which has supermarkets, hotels and offices, were also affected, leaving those without reserve water tanks stranded.

Town Clerk Christopher Dube said they had to shut down the water works to pave way for repairs after the pipe burst on Monday night.

The burst pipe would have only affected Mkhosana suburb but Dube said shutting down the main supply point was a better option to avoid water wastage.

"We had a big problem at our main distribution point after a pipe burst. Because of its size, we were forced to close the supply at the water works," said Dube.

"We had to cut a big tree where the pipe burst and that took time. The situation would have affected Mkhosana only but we felt to avoid unnecessary loss, it was better to shut down the whole system."

The Town Clerk said the local authority's workmen were working tirelessly to restore water supplies.

"Everyone was affected and we are expecting the situation to be restored today (yesterday) because people are on the ground repairing the pipe," he said.

Residents said they were caught unawares and were eagerly waiting for water supplies to be restored.