BY STAFF REPORTER
The government says it is providing assistance to some rural communities that were affected by hailstorms last week, including Nkayi in Matabeleland, where homesteads and schools were destroyed.
Local Government minister July Moyo told Cabinet on Tuesday that areas that were heavily affected by the rains were in Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Masvingo.
“Cabinet is informing the nation that as climate change increases the incidence of weather-induced calamities, violent hailstorms destroyed homes, schools and clinics as well as roads and bridges during the weekend of 23-24 April, 2022,” Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in a briefing to journalists on Tuesday in Harare.
“No injuries to persons have been reported, but the affected households lost grain, foodstuffs, blankets, clothing and other vital supplies.
“The affected areas included Nkayi in Matabeleland North Province, Gokwe North in Midlands Province, and Gutu in Masvingo province.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, through the Civil Protection Unit, immediately responded to the disaster, and delivered foodstuffs, blankets, clothing and other essential supplies to the affected households and government agencies.
“The situation is being continuously monitored in order to ensure appropriate levels of support to communities as they rebuild the infrastructure in their respective localities.”
At the weekend, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Richard Moyo told VicFallsLive that the affected areas in Nkayi were in wards one, two, 13 and 14 in villages such as Tsheli, Sobunyonyo, Gampinya and Sovondo.
“The report is true as I have just spoken to Nkayi officials, but the challenge is that there is no (telephone) network (coverage) for us to contact our government representatives on the ground and the road is also inaccessible,” Moyo said.
“Once the place is reachable, we will give the status of families who lost their homes.”
A classroom block at Jabulisa Secondary School collapsed while livestock such as goats, sheep and poultry were killed by the rains.
Moyo urged affected villagers to find safe places to live until they find relief.