-Cllr Chivore appeals for urgent help
SYDNEY MUBAIWA
ZAKA- Villagers in Chipinda communal lands in Zaka North Constituency ward 1 were left counting losses after floods destroyed their crops sweeping away two major bridges along Chiredzi River.
The two bridges, Chipinda and Mutakaya were completely destroyed after two dams at Riverton Farm were breached as a result of heavy rains that were experienced in the area.
As a result of the destruction of the bridges, motorists and villagers are now being forced to use longer routes from the main road from Mutendi to Rumwanda and Chipinda to Bvukururu.
Ward 1 Councillor Don Chivore said they are in urgent need of help to repair the bridges in order to lessen the burden on villagers who are now forced to travel long distances for their daily activities.
“We are appealing to the responsible authorities to quickly intervene to restore normalcy in the area. Despite the good rains villagers are likely to suffer food shortages as all their crops downstream were washed away and their gardens that they depend on for their livelihoods were completely destroyed,” said a distraught Cllr Chivore.
The breach of dams on Monday resulted in the release of large volumes of water downstream, sweeping away crops in fields and nearby gardens.
A villager who stays upstream confirmed the tragedy to The Midweek Watch.
“Due to heavy rains we have received, the dams breached releasing large volumes of water downstream and we have heard that the floods destroyed crops in fields and gardens close to the riverbank,” he said.
In a statement Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said a full assessment of the scale of the damage is ongoing.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police Masvingo province confirms a significant incident in Chipinda area following a period of incessant and heavy rainfall.
“A full assessment of the scale of the damage is ongoing, but we are thankful that no human fatalities, injuries or damage to homesteads have been recorded in the area,” he said.
Inspector Dhewa warned the villagers from crossing Churedzi River. He urged the villagers to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution as water levels may rise.
Meanwhile, efforts to reconstruct another bridge which was damaged as a result of dam breach at Mamvuramachena River is underway with officials from Zaka Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) formerly District Development Fund (DDF) on the ground.
