Five children were killed and two are missing after a dam collapsed in Chipinge, eastern Zimbabwe, following heavy rainfall. The collapse led to flooding which caught children off guard while they were fishing or doing laundry. Rescue operations are ongoing, but the tragedy highlights extreme weather challenges faced by the nation after a severe drought.
In a tragic incident in eastern Zimbabwe, five children lost their lives due to the collapse of a dam caused by heavy rainfall. The Civil Protection Unit, which oversees disaster management, reported that rescuers are actively searching for two other children who remain unaccounted for after the disaster occurred on Sunday at a farm in Chipinge. This incident was prompted by prolonged rain that led to the dam’s failure.
Initially, reports indicated that a four-year-old girl, while doing laundry with her mother, and a 30-year-old man died during the incident. Fortunately, the girl’s mother survived. Subsequent rescue efforts yielded the discovery of four additional children’s bodies, highlighting the urgency of the situation as many children were believed to be fishing or engaged in laundry nearby when the flooding occurred.
The Civil Protection Unit reported that while significant rescue efforts are ongoing, the search continues for two missing children aged eight and four. The flooding has severely impacted the surrounding communities, submerging agricultural equipment, endangering livestock, and significantly disrupting daily life. Search teams comprising members from the Civil Protection Unit, police, and local community members are working diligently to locate the missing children.
This catastrophe follows a period of extreme drought that has afflicted Zimbabwe for the last forty years, only to be followed by unprecedented rainfall in various regions. The situation underscores the challenges facing the nation as it grapples with extreme weather patterns leading to devastation.
In conclusion, the dam collapse in Zimbabwe has tragically resulted in the loss of five young lives and the ongoing search for two missing children. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and severe nature of weather patterns, especially following a prolonged drought. Continuous efforts by emergency services and community members reflect the urgency in addressing the rescue and recovery of those affected.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
