By Own Correspondent- The death toll from Cyclone Idai has risen to 31, the ministry of Information and Publicity has revealed..

The dead are mostly from the Manicaland towns of Chimanimani and Chipinge where the cyclone has caused massive damage.

The government has discouraged any crossing of flooded rivers.

Said the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting this afternoon:

“Govt wishes to discourage any efforts to cross flooded rivers by individuals. We are receiving tragic reports of some people being swept away. We urge patience as rescue is on its way. Let us not have avoidable loss of human life. We have lost 31 Zimbabweans to Cyclone Idai.”