Rains kill 24, injure 6

Gilbert Munetsi

Zim Now Writer

Heavy rains sweeping across Zimbabwe since January have claimed the lives of 24 people and left six others injured, according to the Department of Civil Protection.

The rains, which began after an unusually dry start to the rainy season in October 2024, have also caused widespread damage to homes, schools, health facilities, and critical public infrastructure.

A situation report released by the DCP revealed that 983 households have been damaged, alongside 129 schools, 13 health facilities, and 42 public infrastructure facilities. These include a police station, a government office responsible for issuing national identity documents, and industrial buildings. Damaged public infrastructure also includes roads, bridges, dams, electricity poles, and irrigation systems vital to the nation’s agriculture.

The DCP highlighted that the country initially experienced below-average rainfall between October and December 2024. However, since the start of the new year, intense rainfall has triggered numerous incidents, including drownings and property destruction.

Weather expert Lionel Mukombo emphasized the devastating toll the extreme weather is taking on the nation.

“The loss of 24 lives and injuries to six people underline the urgency of strengthening disaster preparedness and response systems,” Mukombo said.

“The damage to nearly a thousand households, schools, health facilities, and public infrastructure will have long-term repercussions on community well-being and development,” he said.

Mukombo noted that the situation also underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure in resource-constrained regions, where resilience to extreme weather events is limited.

Zimbabwe’s rainy season typically lasts from October to March, with January and February often bringing the heaviest rains. As the country continues to grapple with the fallout of this year’s weather, calls for better disaster response strategies and infrastructure investment are growing louder.

Government has meanwhile urged communities in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines as the rainy season continues.