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Blessings Chidakwa Correspondent
Chinhoyi residents have implored council to clear storm drains and consider establishing new ones in residential areas in order to avoid losses associated with flooding. During the current rainy season, some flash floods have already been experienced in suburbs across town. Mr Mike Chakahwata of Mzari suburb yesterday criticised council for failing to address the issue.

“This has become an annual thing, council neglects some of its core duties. In my area, in Mzari near Mbogo Shopping Centre, there is no drainage system and every year when the rainy season starts, we experience flooding. Worse, there are no tarred roads in our area. Council is making life miserable for us and something must be done urgently,” he said.

Mrs Tarisai Mpandawana of Chikonohono Township said council should routinely clear the storm drains.

“While we appreciate some of the works being done by council to clear the drains, we also feel that they should do so regularly (rather) than to clear once a year. Some areas are not covered and flooding is the order of the day,” she said.

Chinhoyi Town Council acting public relations officer Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said council employees are already on the ground clearing the drains.

“We always do that in October and November when we open up the drains across the town. However, we are still stepping up our efforts to clear some areas where residents had thrown garbage again. So far we have cleared Cold Stream, Chikonohono and Mzari suburbs,” he said.

Mr Mlauzi, however, urged residents to desist from throwing garbage into drains, saying it also contributes to flooding as waterways are clogged.

“Most residents have a tendency of throwing garbage into drains. We urge them to desist from such a habit as it always leads to flash floods,” he said.