City Council calls residents to Evacuate low lying areas ahead of floods

City Council calls residents to Evacuate low lying areas ahead of floods

● As two die in Highfield and Budiriro

Brian Rungano Temba

As heavy rains pound Harare, the Mayor, Cllr Jacob Mafume has called on residents with houses on low lying areas like Budiriro Paddocks area, Kuwadzana Paddock, Hopely area and all other low lying areas to evacuate their houses as massive floods have been predicted.

Mafume said that last week, two people died in Highfield and Budiriro. In Budiriro a six year old boy was swept away by floods last week and his body was only recovered the day before yesterday, 5km away.

This announcement comes as the December heavy rains predicted by Meteorological Services Department predicted are falling.

Residents Associations have blamed the City Council of not acting per the warning and spruced up drainage systems in the area.

The Civic Protection Unit has set up camps at Budiriro 2 and Kuwadzana 3 Primary Schools as shelter for families who will be evacuating the low lying areas.

Food and shelter have been provided for by the Civic Protection Unit at the the protection centres.

Unnecessary traveling during the rains is strongly warned against.