Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
ZIMBABWE is firmly in the grip of a bitter winter and the cold is cutting deep. Across the country, from Bulawayo to Mutare, and from city suburbs to remote villages, temperatures have plunged to near-record lows.
With light frost on rooftops in some areas and misty breaths clouding the air each morning, residents are doing everything they can to stay warm. Experts warn this cold snap is more than just uncomfortable. It is a serious public health risk.
Health professionals are sounding the alarm, especially for the elderly, babies and people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease and hypertension. Dr Simangele Moyo, a general practitioner in Bulawayo, says her clinic has seen a sharp rise in patients suffering from seasonal illnesses like flu, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma complications. Cold, dry air combined with poorly ventilated homes creates the perfect storm for viruses and respiratory problems.
Dr Moyo explained that people with arthritis often complain of worsened joint pain during winter, and that prolonged exposure to low temperatures, especially in poorly heated homes, can lead to hypothermia. It is not something that only happens overseas, she said. Anyone sleeping in an unheated room or walking long distances without proper clothing is at risk. Hypothermia is silent but deadly.
While many Zimbabweans turn to traditional heating methods, these bring their own dangers. The charcoal brazier, or imbawula, is a popular way to warm up homes. But when used indoors without ventilation, it releases carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that kills silently. Every year, authorities report deaths from families, who went to sleep in closed rooms with braziers burning.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mhlangano Moyo has always advised residents to never sleep with a brazier inside a closed room. It is a death trap. You may not wake up. The message is especially urgent as more families seek warmth any way they can.
Despite the risks, people are turning to old-fashioned remedies to stay warm and healthy. Hot drinks like lemon and ginger tea with honey are household staples. Peanut butter porridge is served steaming hot to children before school.
In many homes, elders recommend steaming with eucalyptus leaves to clear airways and ease coughs. These remedies may not cure illness, but they provide comfort and temporary relief.
Authorities are urging the public to observe key safety measures during this cold period. Doctors advice dressing in layers, as multiple thin garments trap heat better than one thick item. Staying indoors, drinking warm fluids, eating hot meals and using hot water bottles safely are highly recommended. Rooms should be insulated with curtains and blocked against draughts.
Most importantly, any signs of illness such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or persistent coughs should not be ignored. Early medical treatment can prevent complications.
Certain habits should be avoided entirely. Chief among these is using a brazier in a closed room. Alcohol is another risk. Many wrongly believe it helps to warm the body, but it actually lowers core body temperature and impairs judgment. Parents are urged not to send children to school without proper winter clothing, and neighbours are encouraged to check on elderly residents or anyone living alone.
Local clinics and health centres have started winter awareness campaigns. In some rural areas, free flu shots are being offered to vulnerable individuals. Social welfare departments in cities like Harare and Gweru have urged residents to report people sleeping in the open, so they can be offered temporary shelter.
The cold may not bring snow, but it brings a very real threat. In a country where many homes lack insulation and proper heating, winter is not just uncomfortable. It is dangerous. Staying warm and safe requires awareness, caution and community support. As the cold tightens its grip, Zimbabweans must look out for one another and take the cold seriously. Winter is here and it demands respect.
