BUSINESS REPORTER
Government has scaled up the Tropical Cyclone Freddy preparedness by setting up evacuation establishments and deploying aid and medical supplies in government offices in potentially vulnerable districts among other measures.
The tropical storms are expected to begin on Friday.
In a Post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the nation is informed that the Cabinet noted that Cyclone Freddy has hit Madagascar and is proceeding to Mozambique whereupon it will also affect neighbouring countries, including Zimbabwe.
“In view of this Cyclone information, the government, through its agencies, has taken due alert and has put in place the following measures: setting up of evacuation establishments; deploying aid and medical supplies in government offices in potentially vulnerable districts; 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 covering if the roof is blown off; and day scholars in affected areas can have Friday off to reduce student movement,” Mutsvangwa said.
The provinces to be most affected include the following Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Central, and Harare Metropolitan.
She said weather experts are predicting that it may cause damage along its path.
In addition, the Cabinet had directed that SMEs and artisanal miners should avoid going underground, citizens should avoid crossing flooded rivers, public transport operators should operate during day time; and all local authorities stand warned against settling people in wetlands, waterways, river basins, and other undesignated sites.
Mutsvangwa said the Cabinet would like to assure the nation that all these measures are meant to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
