Online Reporter
Nokuthula Dube-Herald Reporter
THE rainy season in Zimbabwe has taken a tragic toll, with nine fatalities recorded to date, according to the Department of Civil Protection.
As of November 7, the disaster management team has compiled a list of properties affected by the rains.
The adverse weather has impacted 43 households, caused significant infrastructure damage and affected 10 schools.
In an interview, DCP chief director Mr Nathan Nkomo detailed several incidents leading to fatalities. In Chirumanzu District, a child died when a house collapsed during a storm on November 2.
“The storm, accompanied by strong winds, caused severe damage in Wards 4, 15 and 19. Eight households were severely affected and are in urgent need of assistance. Sadly, in Village 16 of Ward 4, one child died after a house collapsed due to the heavy storm,” said Mr Nkomo.
On the same day, in Silobela, Kwekwe District, eight miners were trapped underground and died due to flooding.
In the Midlands Province, the Dadaya Training Centre suffered significant damage during the storm.
Mr Nkomo said most classroom roofs, teacher cottages, power lines and other infrastructure were affected.
“Fortunately, there were no recorded fatalities or injuries,” he said.
In Chirumanzu, strong winds destroyed several houses, leaving eight family members homeless. Moffat Primary School and Musena Secondary School also sustained structural damage but reported no casualties.
The roof of a two-classroom block was blown off by strong winds. No casualties were recorded.
In Matabeleland South, the District Civil Protection Committee provided temporary shelter for affected families.
Area legislator Cde Fisani Moyo pledged US$200 worth of groceries and accommodation for those displaced.
On November 5, five families in Gwanda Urban were left homeless when their dwelling’s roof was blown off.
Across the country, severe storms have damaged numerous educational institutions.
The Makwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District experienced significant hail damage to crops on September 29, while Bengo Secondary School suffered roof damage from hailstorms on October 27.
In Masvingo, many schools were affected by a wind-storm on October 27, with Njovho Primary School losing seven out of nine classroom roofs. Overall, 1 206 learners and many teachers have been impacted.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is assessing the damage and coordinating emergency repairs.
Mr Nkomo said urgent repairs are essential to ensure that teaching and learning can resume. The DCP is mobilising resources but faces some challenges due to delays in fund disbursement.
“We need adequate resources—tents, food and non-food items. The urgent release of funds by Treasury is critical for disaster preparedness and recovery,” he said.
Efforts are ongoing to support affected communities, with tarpaulin tents and 150kg of rice dispatched to help eight households in Chirumanzu District.
