The Mutare City Council has urged residents to be on high alert and take precautionary measures to ensure safety as Tropical Cyclone Freddy is expected to bring torrential rains and strong winds to parts of Zimbabwe.
In a notice issued to the public on Wednesday, the local authority urged residents, especially those in low-lying areas, to follow weather updates and monitor the situation. The notice reads:
Notice is hereby given to all Mutare residents and stakeholders that heavy rain is expected to hit Zimbabwe and Mozambique from February 25 to March 3.
Residents should be on high alert for the possibility of Cyclone Freddy which is threatening to affect Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
All residents in low-lying areas should constantly monitor the situation as the possibilities of flooding are very high.
In light of the above, we are encouraging all residents to exercise necessary precautions to keep safe and prevent loss of lives and damage to property.
The City of Mutare said in cases of emergency, residents and stakeholders can call the District Protection Unit team on 0774 414 286 (Mr Bore), 0775 173 545 (Mrs Mdzire) and 0775 392 772 (Mrs Nyamunokora) or alternatively get in touch with the local authority’s emergency services section on 02020-62222.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy made landfall on the eastern coast of Madagascar on 21 February 2023.
The weather system is projected to make landfall in Mozambique between Govuro and Vilankulo (Inhambane province) on 24 February, as a severe tropical storm, according to reliefweb.