Sinokubonga Nkala
Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
A WHIRLWIND swept through the country’s premier tourist destination Victoria Falls on Monday causing extensive damage to power infrastructure and uprooting trees. Although the storm only lasted around five minutes, it left a trail of destruction, resulting in power outages affecting most parts of the city, including suburbs and the Aerodrome.
Electricity supply has not been fully restored and telecoms have also been disrupted by the damage caused.
The impact of the power outage was compounded as it also hampered water supplies.
Direct pumping from the treatment plant to users is the primary means of providing water to the city, and with no backup reservoirs, the power cut left Victoria Falls without water.
This caused more pressure on residents and businesses trying to navigate the difficulties of the outages.
In the Railways section of the city, trees fell on houses, damaging roofs, and more property damage was reported from businesses, including the Lookout Café on the Zambezi River Gorges.
The wooden café’s perimeter wall was destroyed, while curio traders suffered losses as their stock was also damaged. The strong winds left residential areas covered in twigs and branches, creating a significant mess.
Environmental experts have attributed the storm to climate change.
High-pressure systems often linked to heatwaves can destabilise the atmosphere, resulting in powerful winds and storms.
Hwange District, including Victoria Falls, has been experiencing daily maximum temperatures exceeding 43°C, with some areas reaching 45°C.
Mr Daniel Sithole, director of Green Shango Environmental Trust, suggested that the heatwaves are exacerbating the impact of climate change and causing more severe weather effects.
Despite the damage caused, there were no reports of casualties.
Zesa technicians were working to restore power supply, while residents and businesses adapted to the challenges posed by the outages.
“Extremely high temperatures, such as the 45°C we are currently experiencing in Hwange and other parts of Zimbabwe may result from this. In an attempt to balance out these extreme conditions, the atmosphere may produce storms and strong winds,” said Mr Sithole.
“As the air masses shift and interact, the extreme heat can seriously destabilise the atmosphere, resulting in powerful winds and storms. The frequency and severity of these extreme weather events are increasing due to climate change.”
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) did not respond to questions sent yesterday.
Combined Victoria Falls Residents Association chairperson, Mr Kelvin Moyo, described the storm as unprecedented in the city
“This is the first of its kind as we have never experienced that in Victoria Falls. This speaks to climate change as evidenced by the high temperatures. We haven’t received any report of injuries but people are without electricity and water,” he said.
The disruption also impacted businesses, with restaurants forced to turn away customers due to a lack of water and power.
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