Tropical Storm Freddy: Govt orders schools to shut down
Harare- GOVERNMENT has made a directive for schools in selected provinces to shut down Friday as a precautionary measure ahead of the impending Tropical Cyclone Freddy,Express Mail Zim can report.
In a statement, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Secondary education T. Thabela has advised that heavy rains will pour over Eastern Zimbabwe and thereafter spread to other parts of the country from February 24 to February 25.
Provinces affected include Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South ,Mash East, Harare Metropolitan and Mash Central.
“In view of the impending heavy rains, all institutions providing Primary and Secondary Education are advised that localised flash floods caused by Tropical Storm Freddy are probable in different parts of the country.
“The affected areas have been placed on high alert and a result of this extreme weather likelihood no pupils within the above named areas are to attend school or face to face instruction on Friday 24 February 2023,” read part of the statement.
Government further directed that student boarders will remain in their hostels and continue with their studies via alternative learning modes from the confines of a safe environment.
“Heads of schools in these provinces are advised to exercise caution by notifying day pupils not to attend school on Friday 24 February 2023 or to attempt to cross any flooded rivers,” wrote Thabela.
At the time of writing Thursday, heavy rains were pouring in the central business district of Harare making it business unusual.
A snap survey by Express Mail Zim established that the rains caused a boom in business for entrepreneurs who own lodges and Bed and Breakfast outlets in the capital as some couples utilise the lunch hour period to use these services in what they deem a “conducive environment” to discuss a barrage of issues, as established in the survey and vox pop.
Meanwhile, some section of Christians who attend infamous prophet T Freddy of Goodness and Mercy Ministries made sensational claims that the tropical cyclone was named after him, a claim which has no tincture of scientific justification.
