shloboe boe
Zimpapers Writers
GOVERNMENT has roped in the Air Force of Zimbabwe, sub-aqua and fire brigade units for critical rescue missions as the death toll from rain-induced incidents has risen to 132 amid rising levels in water bodies and overflowing rivers and streams, leading to the disruption of key transport routes and, in some cases, marooning, with some people being swept away.
Over 8 000 households have been damaged since the start of the 2025/26 rainfall season, according to the Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
For the first time in history, traffic was disrupted for nearly an hour at the Shangani Bridge along Gweru-Bulawayo Highway on Sunday afternoon following the flooding of the bridge.
Gweru District Development Coordinator, Mr Tarisai Mudadigwa, confirmed that for the first time in history, the Shangani Bridge flooded.
He said the area, which borders the Midlands Province, recorded over 170mm in nine hours. Primary school learners who had gone on a weekend trip to a wildlife sanctuary near Shangani had to extend their stay by a day and vehicles could not pass flooded streams.
Heavy floods have also swept away the Jeka-Chegato Bridge across the Mwenezi River in Mberengwa North District, a vital lifeline for the Mberengwa community, leaving thousands of people stranded and facing immense hardship.
Of the total number of deaths, Manicaland Province has the highest at 36, followed by Mashonaland West at 22, while the Midlands has to date recorded 21 deaths. Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces have recorded 16 and eight deaths respectively, while five people have died in Bulawayo.
Masvingo Province has recorded 13 deaths, Mashonaland East and Central have five, while Harare has one death.
Masvingo Province has been hit hard by fatal incidents in some parts of its districts that have seen huts collapsing, road and air traffic accidents, communities cut off and crops at an advanced stage being washed away — leaving communities vulnerable.
In its latest Situation Report (SITREP), the CPU said on Friday (March 13, 2026), a report was received that 18 people had been marooned at Lusungwe Island at the confluence of the Runde and Save rivers in Chiredzi.
“A critical rescue operation and modalities to rescue the group are underway as the agency has activated the Air Force of Zimbabwe, the sub aqua and fire brigade to urgently attend to the dire situation.
“This dangerous episode emphasises the ongoing risks posed by submerged waterways in the province and the crucial role of inter-district harmonisation in life-saving operations,” reads the CPU report.
The department said it was disturbing that people become trapped on the particular island annually.
It noted that continuous rains received in the catchment area of rivers and streams flowing towards Chiredzi District have resulted in the unexpected over-flooding and bursting of rivers.
Last week, four men attempting to cross the Runde River were marooned due to increased water levels and a heavy current.
“The quartet was successfully rescued by the search and rescue team from the District Civil Protection Committee,” said the CPU.
It said a village Civil Protection Committee in Zaka district managed to find one of the two men who were swept away in the Mutirikwi River, with the body found in a high state of decomposition.
The Department said another critical rescue operation is underway in Zvishavane, where 16 gold panners have been marooned in the Muchingwe River, with reports indicating that the illegal gold panners had erected their tents along the riverbank.
“Following heavy rainfall in the catchment area on Sunday, the river overflowed, creating an island that has left the group stranded.
“The group consists of 12 males, three females and a seven-month-old baby. The situation remains extremely precarious, as the strong river current is gradually eroding the island and as such, the CPU has activated the Air Force of Zimbabwe, the sub-aqua unit and the fire brigade to carry out search and rescue operations,” reads part of the CPU report.
In another incident, an aircraft belonging to Drip Tech Irrigation, travelling from Harare to Chiredzi with two people on board, crashed at the border between Zaka and Bikita districts on Saturday, with the CPU saying the probable cause of the crash may be bad weather conditions as the province was receiving heavy rains.
It said initial investigations revealed that the aircraft developed a fault and caught fire.
“The occupants tried to escape using a parachute and unfortunately, the chute got entangled on the wings of the craft until it fell.
“Village Civil Protection Committee (VCPC) managed to rescue the female passenger and rushed her to Silveira Mission Hospital for medical attention, while the male passenger could not be helped in time due to the craft’s seat belt complications and the inferno,” said the agency.
“The police details from Bikita attended the scene and subsequently the removal of the deceased passenger. Authorities are still investigating the real cause of the crash,” said the CPU.
The Jeka-Chegato Bridge, which connects Mberengwa West, North and South to the Matabeleland South Province, is crucial for the movement of people and goods.
The floods have caused widespread destruction in Mberengwa District again, with 40 houses destroyed and villagers losing valuables and groceries.
Children are unable to attend school, transport has been halted while patients are struggling to access medical care.
“The district is being hit by incessant rains, which have badly damaged our roads and bridges across the district,” Mberengwa District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Vafios Hlabati, said.
“Communication is completely shattered; people cannot visit clinics or go to civil registry offices to acquire essential documents or burial orders in case of a funeral within the family.”
Mr Hlabati said the Government has swiftly moved in with food aid for the affected villagers as the floods rage on.
“The situation is dire, and we are doing our best to provide relief to those affected,” he said.
“We call upon our people to refrain from crossing flooded rivers and bridges. They should not seek shelter under trees.”
Mberengwa Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer, Mr Thompson Maeresera, described the Jeka Bridge as a strategic asset for the district.
“The bridge serves the entire Mberengwa area and connects it to Matabeleland South Province, making it a strategic bridge. This bridge is crucial for investment and growth of Mberengwa’s local economy and learning of its demise has brought about sorrow and distress to us who appreciate its value,” he said.
Villagers have also called for urgent assistance to restore the bridge and repair the damaged infrastructure as soon as the rains and flooding stop.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department has warned of continued cloudy conditions and scattered thunderstorms across much of the country this week as heavy rains persist, raising fears of flooding in vulnerable areas.
According to the MSD, moisture across the country has resulted in scattered thunderstorms in various regions, while a low-pressure system over northern Mozambique and Zambia is expected to intensify convection activity, potentially bringing more rainfall.
Today, the MSD projects that mostly cloudy conditions with chances of light rain and showers will prevail in the morning across Matabeleland North, Midlands, northern parts of Manicaland, Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland provinces.
The weather outlook for Wednesday indicates that much of the country will remain mostly cloudy and warm, with scattered thunderstorms expected towards the end of the day.
The department said localised downpours could occur, particularly in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Central provinces, while mild conditions are expected overnight.
“The public must exercise caution during the rainy period, particularly avoiding crossing flooded rivers and seeking shelter in safe buildings during lightning storms,” said the MSD.
Online Reporter