AUTHORITIES in Zimbabwe have ordered schools in six provinces likely to be hit by Cyclone Freddy to close this Friday.
The affected schools are in Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, (parts bordering Masvingo), Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Harare Metropolitan provinces.
In a statement released on Thursday, Primary and Secondary education Ministry perm sec Tumisang Thabela said learning institutions in these areas must not conduct physical lessons.
“Tropical Storm Freddy may bring heavy rains over Eastern Zimbabwe and, thereafter, spread to other parts of the country from 24 to 25 February 2023.
“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 parts of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, (parts bordering Masvingo) Mashonaland East Mashonaland Central provinces as well as Harare Metropolitan province.
“The above named 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,” said Thabela.
She added: “Student boarders are to 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,”
Cyclone Freddy is tracking its ways towards the East Africa coastline and is forecast to make landfall in Mozambique in the early hours of Friday.
Previous cyclones have claimed thousands of lives and left a trail of destruction in Mozambique and neighbouring countries such as Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
