By Pardon Maguta| To avoid the chance of some people rewriting the history of what actually happened within 24 hours soon after Cyclone Idai hit Chimanimani, Ngangu and thereafter I am writing my personal experience as an eyewitness and affected person.

15 March 2019 goes down as one of the worst day in my life. I had spent it in my office in Chimanimani CBD. Its a small place commonly called the Village.

Around 5pm I was in Ngangu meeting my old friend Mr Gabaza. We chatted for a while until someone made us shorten our chat. As I left with one of my friend Arnold Magen’a to my place the rains were already becoming abnormal.

We quickly got into a commuter omnibus driven by a long time ally Rodrick Chipangura. As I jumped off to my place in the Medium Density Area the rains started to pour in buckets.

The rain gauges recorded over 750mm of rain that particular night. It was the highest amount of rain to be recorded within 24hrs Chimanimani.

As disaster struck, houses being brought down, people being drowned, infrastructure being torn heroes and heroines emerged.

That particular night special mention goes to Stephen Hamudi and Samhere who died rescuing others. Stephen was a renowned and respected builder and Samhere ran flea markets. May their souls rest in peace.

There are many who did all they could helping others that night. I remember going to Tafara Location with my sons and brother in-law few minutes after it had been swept away hoping to rescue some people but we left hopeless and in total defeat.

Our prize was getting Mai Tariro to safety. After escaping from her collapsed house she had failed to find a way to sanctuary. We took her home.

As dawn came we were shocked to learn the extent of the damage. We were marooned and the rains were still pounding with an iron hammer. About 6 people had taken refugee at my place as my place was not in total ruins. Some were seriously injured and urgently needed medical care.

But the roads were impassable. We had to find other ways to the hospital. It was all chaos. People looking for missing loved ones. People nursing injuries but the rains poured.