Heavy storm causes havoc in Senanga

—A heavy storm has blown off the entire roof of a dormitory at Senanga High School and socked hundreds of bags of beans meant for the school feeding programme for Basic Schools in Senanga.

The storm also blew off the roof of a classroom and an office used to store examination materials.

Part of the dormitory is being used as a storage facility and there are no pupils currently lodging there.

Senanga District Commissioner, Yumei Mihupulo, who visited the school to assess the damage, said although the storm caused extensive damage to the school buildings, it is fortunate that no casualties have been recorded.

Mr Mihupulo said although he has already reported the matter to the Provincial Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Mwamba, he is still receiving reports of damage caused by the storm before contacting the Disaster Management Unit.

The District Commissioner has expressed concern that about 450 X 50 kg bags  of beans may start germinating.

He said the bags need to be transported to the respective schools so the beans can be sun-dried.

The storm that swept through Senanga township yesterday afternoon has left a trail of destruction in the district.

A round-up by ZANIS has revealed the roofs at the Apostolic Faith Foundation Church and Nasla Beef Company were also blown off.

And Senanga High School Acting Deputy Head Teacher, Michael Kunda, said a similar incident occurred in 2008 when most classrooms and dormitories had the roofs blown off following a storm.

Mr Kunda appealed to the Ministry of Education to assist with repair of the damage left behind by the storm.

Zesco was forced to temporarily switch off power as several trees fell on power supply lines.