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Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
THE Government has dispatched a technical team to Gwanda District to assess the extent of damage caused by heavy rains to eight dams.

An eight-hour storm left a trail of destruction, destroying dams and killing livestock during the festive season.

Gwanda Civil Protection Unit chairperson, who is also the acting District Administrator, Mr Judge Dube, yesterday said the technical team has been on the ground since Monday.

“Their mandate is to assess the damage and come up with a report on resources which are needed to repair the dams. We need to know so that we mobilise resources for the reconstruction of the dams. However, I should hasten to say that reconstruction will only start as soon as the rainy season ends since it’s difficult now,” said Mr Dube.

He said the situation on the ground was dire.

“They have no alternative source of water since boreholes also feed from the dams. The most affected people are from Wards 12 (Matanangombe) and 16 (Gungwe) who are forced to travel about 15km to get water from Tuli river. The damage is extensive as all dams burst at the centre and water was escaping,” said Mr Dube.

He said the road network was also affected and some feeder roads were now inaccessible, a situation that has gravely affected the distribution of drought relief and the Presidential inputs.

The recent disaster in the district necessitated the resuscitation of the Gwanda Civil Protection and Planning Committee two weeks ago which has been dormant for a year.

— @richardmuponde.