Zimbabwe issues storm flood warning as cyclone Favio nears

By Lance Guma
23 February 2007

As if taking a cue from the political storm clouds gathering around Mugabe’s regime tropical Cyclone Favio, which hit central Mozambique and caused widespread damage, is now heading towards Zimbabwe. Experts say areas in eastern Zimbabwe, especially the low lying regions, should expect heavy rains and strong winds over the weekend. Mutare, Rusape, Mvuma, Chivhu, Masvingo and Chiredzi all lie in its path according to projections by experts. The cyclone initially generated winds of over 270 kilometres an hour but the latest is that it has been downgraded to a tropical storm with winds of about 100 kilometres an hour.

Cyclone Favio hit the Inhambane province of Mozambique before heading north-west towards the tourist town of Vilanculos. There it damaged the town court, the prison and destroyed thousands of homes. Large trees were uprooted and the town is described as flattened. There is no water or power and hundreds of people have been reported injured. Authorities in Mozambique went on high alert and moved thousands of people into tented camps.
In Zimbabwe Fambai Ngirande, a spokesman for the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), says they are worried because not enough information is being given to members of the public.

Another source of worry he says is the fact that the structures to deal with storms and floods, let alone cyclones, are non-existent. He said the Civil Protection Unit has no clear response strategy and the way it operates did not allow for the NGO community to fully participate in disaster responses. Zimbabwe has strained relations with the international community over its human rights record and this lack of goodwill could hamper aid efforts if ever they were needed, Ngirande added.

So far though, people in the eastern part of Zimbabwe and some close to the midlands are reporting dark clouds and strong winds in their areas. It remains to be seen just how strong Favio’s impact will be. Meanwhile authorities in Mozambique have been praised for a much better response to the cyclone than the floods which decimated that country seven years ago. Over 700 people lost their lives during those floods.