MDC leader nelson Chamisa believes government could have prevented the loss of lives in Manicaland and Masvingo if it had evacuated people well before these areas were hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai.
139 deaths have been confirmed so far. An unknown number of people are homeless after their homes were destroyed by the floods. Said Chamisa:
The response of the people was better than the response of the State which came like an afterthought when cyclones are a scientific phenomenon whose formation and trajectory can be detected and forecast. Although we all saw the cyclone coming, the State did little to warn and remove people from harm’s way. With the advent of climate change, cyclones have become regular in our part of the world. Citizens would have thought by now the State has learnt something about how to save lives and to protect the people during these deadly cyclones. The sad reality is that the disaster preparedness of the entire infrastructure of the State is itself a disaster. Indeed, devastation caused by Idai, especially the tragic loss of life, has exposed the clear and present danger that the State itself is a disaster
Related:
-
Govt Did Not Think Cyclone Idai Would Be So Bad – Defence Minister
-
Cyclone Idai: Mnangagwa Responds To Critics
More: Daily News