Tsholotsho villagers stranded as heavy rains destroy homesteads, crops

BY BRENDA NCUBE

Several villagers in Tsholotsho district were left counting losses as their homesteads and properties were destroyed following excessive rains experienced across the country this past week.

The three day heavy rain spell and destroyed homesteads in Ngamo, Nganyana and Sitambare villages which are situated on the low-lying flat land in the district.

Speaking in an interview with VicfallsLive, one of the victims from Nganyana area, Butholezwe Moyo said his whole homestead was swept away by the storms coupled with winds. 

“My four huts were completely destroyed by the rains,”Moyo said.

“My family and I were left stranded with no roof over our heads. We are not the only ones who we affected, about seven other homesteads in my village lost huts to these rains.

“All our belongings and property were floating on water, the clothes and blankets were soaked in water such that we were unable to use them for sometime until the rains stopped,” he said.

Moyo added that the rains were too much as the floods responded immediately and got to knee level in some parts of Nganyana village.

“We have never experienced the rains of this magnitude in this area. The last time we had something close to this was about 10-15 years ago. This came as a surprise to us.

“As we speak the crops are turning yellow in the fields as they are still half covered with water. Our yields will be affected if the rains continue.”

Another villager from Ngamo, Jerry Mpofu, echoed similar sentiments Moyo about the rains destroying property.

“The rains caused a lot of disruption and destruction in our area. You find a homestead with four or five huts losing them all.

“They are in need of assistance with clothes and blankets,” he said 

In 2017, Tsholotsho district was the most affected area by floods caused by tropical cyclone Dineo that racked havoc across the country.

About 850 people from Mbanyana, Mahlaba, Sheleni, Lutshomi amongst other areas in Tsholotsho district were displaced from their homes in the wake and passage of cyclone Dineo.

The affected families were later resettled in Esawudweni and Ngweba which are on higher ground from their former settlements which were on the low grounds of the river banks.

Meanwhile, the Department of Civil Protection has advised people to take caution against the tropical storm Freddy which is expected to make landfall in the southern parts of Zimbabwe from today. 

Citizens living in low-lying areas were also encouraged to move to higher ground.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education issued a statement urging all institutions providing Primary and Secondary Education to stay alert and keep students safe as there may be flash floods caused by the tropical storm Freddy.

According to the statement, Manicaland, Masvingo, Matebeleland South (parts bordering Masvingo),Mashonaland East ,Mashonaland Central province  and Harare metropolitan province have been placed on high alert and as a result, pupils within the areas are not to attend school or face to face instruction on Friday.