‘Delay travelling for boarding learners’
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PARENTS with children who were supposed to travel to boarding schools tomorrow and over the weekend have been advised to postpone the travelling dates until after the anticipated torrential rains have passed.
In a statement released by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Tumisang Tabela this afternoon, boarding school learners are advised to travel after January 8.
The statement reads: “The Civil Protection Unit has alerted of the potential imminent excess rainfall and storms between January 6 and 8 particularly in Manicaland Province: Mutare rural, Chimanimani, Chipinge and Buhera and in Masvingo Province: Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Gutu, Bikita and Zaka districts. In view of this warning, boarding pupils are advised to travel after these dates. Be guided accordingly.”
Schools are set to open on Monday.
In light of the anticipated rains, the Manicaland Civil Protection Unit has put in place adequate evacuation centres across all disaster prone areas in the province.
In an interview, the director in charge of Civil Protection Unit in the Office of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr John Misi said the province is expecting to receive in excess of more than 60mm of rain in 24 hours.
The forecasted torrential rains are expected to fall in parts of the country from tomorrow until Sunday.
Mr Misi said evacuation centres have already been prepared in all the province’s seven districts in anticipation of the heavy rains that may cause flooding, landslides, lightning as well as strong winds.
“We are urging people to stay indoors and avoid driving during that time. We also urge them to be on high alert of the rains. We have conducted awareness campaigns through traditional and political leadership across the province to alert our people on the dangers that might come with the rains,” he said.
In an earlier statement, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works said: “The Department of Civil Protection is urging citizens to be on high alert of forecasted torrential rains from Friday, 6 January to Sunday 8, 2023 across the country.
“We also call on all relevant stakeholders and traditional leaders to find ways to disseminate the information to their various communities, in particular all Mashonaland, Manicaland, parts of the Midlands and Masvingo provinces where heavy rains in excess of 65mm are expected in 24 hours.
“We urge citizens to take heed of the Meteorological Services Department alerts as they continue monitoring the unfolding situation. Citizens should be on the watch for possible flooding, avoid crossing flooded rivers/streams and stay indoors during the period as the heavy rains may reduce visibility for motorists.”
