Call for chiefs to fine flood risk offenders

THERE are growing considerations to empower traditional leaders to fine community members who disregard official warnings against crossing or attempting to cross flooded rivers, as Zimbabwe continues to record rising fatalities linked to hydro-meteorological hazards during the ongoing rainy season.

The move comes amid increasing concern from disaster management authorities that many deaths being recorded across the country are preventable, largely resulting from risky behaviour such as attempting to cross flooded rivers, driving through submerged bridges or ignoring evacuation advisories. Since the onset of the 2025/26 rainfall season in October last year, the Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU) reports that at least 79 people have lost their lives, while 61 others sustained injuries of varying severity.

A total of 1 068 households have either been damaged or completely destroyed by floods, strong winds and related weather-induced incidents. In an interview yesterday, CPU chief director Mr Nathan Nkomo said consultations are underway with Government principals to explore mechanisms that would allow traditional leaders to sanction individuals within their jurisdictions who deliberately ignore safety warnings. “It is rather unfortunate that we continue to lose precious lives due to people disregarding danger warnings from authorities,” said Mr Nkomo. “As such, we are in consultations with our principals with a view to empowering traditional leaders to fine anyone in their jurisdiction who does not take heed of these warnings. These are deaths that can be clearly avoided.”

Mr Nkomo said traditional leaders, who already play a key role in community governance, dispute resolution and enforcement of customary norms, are strategically placed to help enforce disaster risk reduction measures at grassroots level, especially in rural areas where most flood-related fatalities occur.

Zimbabwe’s disaster management framework places traditional leaders at the centre of community mobilisation during emergencies, working alongside District Civil Protection Committees (DCPCs), councillors, village heads and other local structures.

Mr Nkomo said all emergency response agencies remain on high alert and are continuing to issue warnings as heavy rains persist in many parts of the country.

He revealed that the Government has released a first tranche of emergency funding in United States dollars to districts nationwide to strengthen preparedness and response ahead of anticipated flooding during the peak cyclone season.

“All emergency agencies are on their feet. Our District Development Co-ordinators (DDCs) across the country are active and giving us real-time reports,” said Mr Nkomo.

“We are now in the peak cyclone period, from January to March, and we are fully prepared for any eventuality.”

Zimbabwe is expected to continue receiving heavy rainfall until the weekend, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas, near major rivers and along poorly drained road networks.

Prior to the start of the 2025–26 summer cropping season, regional meteorological bodies, including the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), warned that the South-West Indian Ocean would likely experience more than nine tropical cyclones during the season.

So far, seven systems have already been recorded, including five named storms — Awo, Blossom, Chenge, Grant and Dudzai.

Cyclone Chenge, which formed in October last year, affected parts of Tanzania and Kenya, while Cyclone Grant, active between December 2025 and January 2026, impacted Madagascar before its remnants moved towards the mainland.

Cyclone Dudzai, which reached intense cyclone status earlier this month, did not pose a direct threat to Zimbabwe, according to the MSD, but contributed to widespread rainfall over the region.

Mr Nkomo said the Government’s decision to release emergency funds on a needs-based, phased approach was meant to enhance accountability and ensure resources are directed where they are most required.

“Government has given us a reasonable amount of money in hard currency as the first batch, and this will be disbursed based on demand per province,” he said.

“If the whole chunk is released at once, we risk accountability challenges instead of focusing on responding to rainfall-induced disasters.”

Mr Nkomo added that improved early warning systems, including impact-based forecasting, are now enabling authorities to predict not only weather patterns but also their likely impact on people, infrastructure and livelihoods.

“These systems help us to plan better and warn communities in advance. What we now need is compliance from the public so that warnings translate into saved lives,” he said.