by Zhang Yuliang, Tichaona Chifamba
HARARE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 people have been confirmed dead while dozens of others are still missing as tropical cyclone Idai wreaks havoc in southeastern Zimbabwe, the government said Saturday evening.
The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said in a tweet that the deaths were mainly in Chimanimani district.
In Chimanimani, Chipinge and Mutare districts of Manicaland Province, dozens of houses were also destroyed by the floods caused by Idai.
The Zimbabwe National Army has been deployed to rescue 197 pupils from St Charles Luwanga School in Chipinge after heavy rains and flooding seriously damaged its classrooms, the ministry said.
It said high winds remained a challenge for the air force to rescue marooned people. The military is assisting with rescue efforts but is being slowed down by bad roads.
Many rivers have burst their banks and bridges have been swept away in the floods.
According to the weather forecast, the cyclone appears to be stationary in Chimanimani. More rains are expected up to midnight on Saturday.
The ministry said there were reports of people being swept away while trying to cross flooded rivers, and warned people in flooding areas to keep patient to avoid casualties.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa sent his condolences to the victims affected by Idai, saying rescue operations are underway.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was saddened by the loss of life caused by tropical cyclone Idai that has affected several countries, his spokesperson said Friday.
"The secretary-general is deeply saddened by the loss of life, destruction of property and displacement of people due to the heavy rains and flooding caused by tropical cyclone Idai," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing.
Dujarric said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that flooding caused by Idai "has affected more than 1 million people and caused at least 122 deaths in both Mozambique and Malawi."
