By Thabo Makuyana| In another clear sign of Global Warming, Gweru, Zimbabwe’s fourth largest city has been hit by heavy floods that have caused extensive damage to furniture, destroyed homes, made many Zimbabweans homeless and thus far claimed 6 lives.

Zimbabwean Member of Parliament (MP) Brian Dube representative for Gweru Urban Constituency, has advised the above and more in an interview that lasted a little over 5 minutes.

Gweru is Zimbabwe’s most centrally located city and home to Fletcher, Mzingwane, Thornhill and Mkoba high schools. Thornhill High School is proud to have educated Mr Takwana Tyaranini, the founder of Senditoo.com, a company that is expanding throughout Africa. Many other famous people who serve in corridors of business, legal and political power have also been educated in Gweru.

The floods are said to have reached 0.5m in height in places, thus leading to the total writing off through water damage, of whole household furniture in some cases where residents could not evacuate all their belongings on time.

The MP said that there are 6 victims who are still to be rescued, after a vehicle they were in was swept away by waters from Gweru River.

MP Brian Dube said it is suspected that all 6 people have unfortunately lost their lives.

Approached for comment, police we’re still to respond.

Hon Brian Dube said the Zimbabwean Airforce attended to help rescue the stranded who included children. It is likely that the Zimbabwean scuba divers struggled due to the current ferocity of the river.

MP Brian Dube went on to explain that there is a shortage of desperately needed equipment for the emergency services and pleaded for what he called, “Serious Assistance from the international community, including blankets and food for those who have been seriously affected, as some have lost absolutely everything and that is what is immediate.”

He then went on to say that long term assistance might include the reconstruction of homes and some of the roads which have been as he said, “Terribly Damaged.”

When asked about help from Government MP Brian Dube said that there is a rapid response team that has been set up with the Mayor of Gweru, but that also needs equipment and resources like vehicles and fuel as at the moment they have just one car and as such will not be able to cover all the areas affected.

He further went on to explain that the current spending for this disaster is off budget for him as the MP and for the council; and they will likely need a lot of help. The said he was using his own resources to run around helping his constituents and was appealing for help from organisations that are able to help.