– a directive was given that artisanal miners should avoid going underground and that public transport operators should operate during day time.
John Cassim
HARARE, Zimbabwe – In a bid to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives, from the effects of Tropical Cyclone from Friday, the Zimbabwean government announced stern measures on Wednesday 22nd February 2023.
The measures include the suspension of school lessons on Friday in the affected areas.
“In view of this Cyclone information, the Government, through its agencies, has taken due alert and has put in place the following measures:
“Boarding schools to remain open but suspend lessons in the affected areas on Friday to reduce the movement of pupils and should gather students in buildings or dormitories with secure roofs or spaces where they can get cover if the roof is blown off,” cabinet announced.
Government said day scholars in affected areas can have Friday off to reduce student movement.
To avoid confusion, boarding schools will remain open even though Friday lessons have been suspended, to reduce the movement of pupils.
The announcement also revealed that the setting up of evacuation establishments and deployment of aid and medical supplies in Government Offices in potentially vulnerable districts, has already been done.
In addition, a directive was given that artisanal miners should avoid going underground, that citizens should avoid crossing flooded rivers and that public transport operators should operate during day time.
The Zimbabwean government is being proactive as delays were blamed for the loss of more than 300 lives in Chimanimani in March 2019, when Cyclone Idai struck in the eastern province.
Meanwhile Cyclone Freddy has left a trail of destruction in Mauritius and Madagascar and is now expected to make landfall on the eastern coast of Mozambique on Friday before proceeding to Zimbabwe.