(CNN) At least 31 people have been killed and dozens are reported missing in parts of eastern Zimbabwe after a tropical cyclone ripped through the country.

"We have lost 31 Zimbabweans," the Ministry of Information tweeted Twitter Saturday, adding that people have been "swept away" in the flooding that has claimed dozens of homes and caused huge infrastructure damage.

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 #CycloneIdai — Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) March 16, 2019

The country's Civil Protection Unit is leading the rescue, with assistance from the Zimbabwe Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration, according to officials.

Forty people are missing, the government said.

Speaking to local media, Zimbabwe Red Cross Operations Director Karikoga Kutadzaushe said the situation is "quite dire," adding that people displaced by the devastation are in immediate need of shelter. Zimbabwe's Ministry of Information said Saturday that "two command centers have been established" to take in those rescued from the worst affected areas.

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