Zimbabwe reactivates emergency operations over Cyclone Dineo

The government has reactivated emergency operations ahead of by Cyclone Dineo which is expected between Thursday and Monday next week.

The Civil Protection Unit today called for an emergency stakeholders meeting of the National Civil Protection Committee to prepare for the cyclone and re-activate emergency operations.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting CPU Acting Director, Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the committee is taking a cue from previous experience of managing cyclones.

The 1984 and 2000 cyclones saw Bubi and other bridges being swept, schools and villages cut off from services and several dams bursting.

A number of institutions and non-governmental organisations among them Red Cross have donated tents and other necessities to the National Civil Protection Committee for emergency rescue.

The National Civil Protection Committee is comprised of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, all uniformed forces, non-governmental organisations and the United Nations system.

Southern provinces such as Masvingo, Manicaland and Matabeland will be affected by Cyclone Dineo and are expected to receive heavy and intense rainfall especially on Saturday.

Tropical cyclones are characterised by very strong and damaging winds that can cause massive destruction and extreme flooding.