Online Reporter
Online Reporter
THE Government is prepared to deal with floods and other rain-induced disasters in the current rainy season, where normal to above-normal rains have been forecast.
Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chief director Mr Nathan Nkomo said the level of preparedness for this season is high.
He, however, emphasised the need for funds to address some outstanding issues.
“What we need are the funds, especially this time. If you look at our multi-hazard contingency plan, it takes care of the residual effects of the disasters that happened in previous years, and we have not attended to the structures,” he said.
“Instead, they envisaged the destructive nature of the current rainfall, given its characteristics. We are capturing all the events, but we are not providing a permanent solution.
“We are only giving relief so that after the rainfall season, after the eight months, we should then be able to address some of the issues.”
Mr Nkomo said temporary structures have been put in place to provide relief in some affected areas.
Some private sector players have also indicated their willingness to assist the Government by providing necessary support.
“If we intensify our awareness programme, that will drastically reduce the number of people being marooned, so we will continue to make people aware,” he said.
The Government has crafted the National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan, which is still waiting for Cabinet approval.
The overall aim of this plan is to strengthen capacity for preparedness and response from national and sub-national levels down to the village level, enhancing timely and coordinated responses to emergencies by the Government and its partners.
Nearly US$47 million is needed from the Government and its stakeholders to mobilise the necessary resources for the rainy season.
Statistics from the CPU indicate that rains have so far killed 41 people, damaged 15 schools and affected 51 households.
In Harare Metropolitan province, the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) and Chitungwiza Municipality conducted a rapid assessment exercise following flooding that occurred on November 25, 2025.
The assessment, conducted on November 26, highlighted that if the rains persist, the Chitungwiza community is highly susceptible to waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery, and may even experience property destruction.
“Unit L Extension is the worst affected; the road crossing the culvert is blocked with debris consisting of branches, leaves, plastic pampers and human waste from blocked toilets,” he said.
Mr Nkomo recommended unclogging stormwater drains, mapping flood-prone areas, deblocking culverts, enforcing development controls and increasing education and awareness.
In Gutu district, a traffic accident occurred when a bus from Runanga Bus Services attempted to cross the flooded Chivake River on November 26, 2025.
The bus was swept off a bridge, but all four passengers managed to escape through the window and were rescued by local community members using ropes.
Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported.
In Manicaland province, specifically in Mutasa district, near Redwing mine, on November 25, 2025, eight miners were tragically trapped to death due to a shaft collapse caused by heavy rain the previous day.
In Matabeleland North province, a child (Banele Ngwenya) was reported missing along the Gwayi River.
