The government is yet to allocate houses to some flood victims in Binga despite several promises four years after the natural disaster.
In February 2020, heavy rains caused widespread flooding in the district, leaving a trail of destruction.
Hundreds of villagers were left marooned between rivers in Binga’s Siabua and surrounding areas with some perched in trees after the heavy rains.
The Air Force of Zimbabwe mobilised helicopters to airlift victims from the flood hit areas.
The worst affected were low lying areas in Nsungwa, Chinginga, Nsenga under Chief Sinakoma.
The government promised two-roomed houses for the affected families and said it had also allocated new plots to the families, paving the way for their relocation and construction of the houses on higher ground.
Farai Marinyane, the Binga district principal administrative officer, however, told Southern Eye on Sunday that some victims were yet to be allocated the houses.
“For those who were affected last time they are about to be allocated their houses,which were built by the government,” Marinyame said.
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“Resources such as transport and fuel for quick response and assessment are needed in case we encounter such incidents during the oncoming rainy seasons.”
Marinyame said Matabeleland North was gearing up for the upcoming rainy season with authorities emphasising the need for resources such as transport and fuel to be made available in the event of potential flood emergencies.
The Meteorological Service Department recently issued a warning about violent storms that are expected in some parts of the country, including Matabeleland North.
Some parts of the region are prone to floods, placing the lives of communities and livestock at risk.
Marinyame said the district disaster management committee was actively engaged in raising awareness and encouraging communities to relocate to higher grounds.
“We are busy sensitising the communities to stay at safer places in the daily business of the district disaster management committee,” he said.
“Meanwhile in ward 5 Nsungwale area under Chief Sinakoma, 37 houses will be allocated to the affected people.”
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister, Richard Moyo, said the government has built over 200 homes for families affected by the previous flood in the province.
“In Tsholotsho, we have a place called Sawudweni where there was a problem and the government has built houses for them,” Moyo said.
“At this moment we encourage people that they shouldn’t go back and stay in the flood prone areas during the rainy season.”
Tsholotsho was the hardest hit by Cyclone Dineo in 2017 when water breached the banks of Gwayi river sweeping away homesteads in areas such as Sipepa.
