News / Regional
Beitbridge on floods alert
20 Jan 2013 at 23:59hrs | Views
THE Beitbridge District Civil Protection Committee is on alert for cases of flooding following heavy rains, which have been pounding the district for more than a week now.
This was revealed by the committee's chairperson Mr Simon Muleya during a meeting to ascertain the CPU's state of preparedness in the event of flooding in most low lying areas of the district.
The meeting was held amid reports that the two major rivers in the district Limpopo and Bubi were in flood.
The stakeholders also raised fears that the throw back of the two rivers could flood the Tshikwalakwala community, which is located near the confluence of the rivers.
Mr Muleya said the rains had already damaged major roads linking most rural areas to the town leaving many people cut off from various services.
Mr Muleya said they were appealing to other partners to assist with the repairing of the damaged roads.
He added that they were also urging motorists to be extra cautious whenever travelling on the damaged roads inorder to avoid accidents.
"The flow of water level in the Limpopo River rose to 7,6 metres, a record high level last witnessed many years ago.
"We are worried that the throw back both from Limpopo and Bubi Rivers will affect the community staying near their confluence at Tshikwalakwala.
"This area is usually flooded as a result of this development," said Mr Muleya.
He said they were also worried about the health situation where an outbreak of diseases such as malaria was imminent.
He added that so far they had recorded 22 cases of malaria across the district and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare officials were conducting a surveillance.
"We will also assess the situations in some schools with very few classrooms to see if they can be assisted with tents and other necessities," he said.
Mr Muleya said they were also concerned with some areas along the major roads leading to Bulawayo and Harare, which were flooded.
"We are looking at how we can improve the drainage system on the major roads leading to Bulawayo and Harare," he said.
This was revealed by the committee's chairperson Mr Simon Muleya during a meeting to ascertain the CPU's state of preparedness in the event of flooding in most low lying areas of the district.
The meeting was held amid reports that the two major rivers in the district Limpopo and Bubi were in flood.
The stakeholders also raised fears that the throw back of the two rivers could flood the Tshikwalakwala community, which is located near the confluence of the rivers.
Mr Muleya said the rains had already damaged major roads linking most rural areas to the town leaving many people cut off from various services.
Mr Muleya said they were appealing to other partners to assist with the repairing of the damaged roads.
He added that they were also urging motorists to be extra cautious whenever travelling on the damaged roads inorder to avoid accidents.
"The flow of water level in the Limpopo River rose to 7,6 metres, a record high level last witnessed many years ago.
"We are worried that the throw back both from Limpopo and Bubi Rivers will affect the community staying near their confluence at Tshikwalakwala.
"This area is usually flooded as a result of this development," said Mr Muleya.
He said they were also worried about the health situation where an outbreak of diseases such as malaria was imminent.
He added that so far they had recorded 22 cases of malaria across the district and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare officials were conducting a surveillance.
"We will also assess the situations in some schools with very few classrooms to see if they can be assisted with tents and other necessities," he said.
Mr Muleya said they were also concerned with some areas along the major roads leading to Bulawayo and Harare, which were flooded.
"We are looking at how we can improve the drainage system on the major roads leading to Bulawayo and Harare," he said.
Source - TC
