Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
Bulawayo Bureau
FIFTY people have been killed while 452 homesteads, 22 schools, two health facilities and a prison facility have been damaged countrywide since the start of the 2025/26 rainfall season, the Department of Civil Protection has reported.
According to the DCP’s 6th Situation Report, Manicaland recorded the highest number of fatalities at 23, followed by Mashonaland West and the Midlands with 12 deaths each.
Mashonaland East suffered the most infrastructural damage, with 127 homesteads affected, while Mashonaland Central recorded 97. Matabeleland North and South reported 15 and nine homesteads damaged, respectively.
In Umguza District, Matabeleland North, six prison inmate blocks were destroyed, with the Government estimating that US$47,000 was needed for repairs.
Zimbabwe has experienced intense rainfall in recent days, resulting in severe impacts across multiple provinces.
“The weather advisory issued by the Meteorological Service Department in conjunction with the Department of Civil Protection for the period of 5-10 December 2025 indicated that heavy rains, lightning, hailstorm and strong winds were going to be experienced in areas such as Manicaland, Masvingo, Harare, Mashonaland East and Central provinces,” read the CPU.
On December 7, strong winds and hailstorms battered Wards 2 and 3 in Shamva District, severely damaging infrastructure and livelihoods.
One of the hardest-hit institutions was Centre Zimbabwe Africa High School, where the roof of a double-storey classroom block was ripped off, compromising the upper structure, shattering windows and destroying ceilings and teaching materials.
Two children in Ward 5 were hospitalised after a building collapsed on them.
The CPU said 18 homes were damaged, including toilets, kitchens, fowl runs and churches, displacing several families.
Livestock such as goats and chickens were lost, while maize and tobacco crops were destroyed, posing risks to food security and household incomes.
In Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, hailstorms destroyed two classroom blocks at Valukhalo Secondary School and no injuries were reported.
In Mhondoro-Ngezi District, heavy rains on December 2 damaged homes and property in Wards 6, 7, 14 and 16. Food reserves, clothing and important documents were also lost.
“The district CPU is appealing for assistance on tents, food items and about 160 litres of fuel for further assessments of the affected wards and offering some counselling to the affected families,” read the report.
The CPU recommends increased emergency-response training, establishment of local emergency funds, infrastructure upgrades, community disaster-preparedness campaigns and strengthened partnerships with NGOs.
It also calls for improved communication systems, early-warning mechanisms, a centralised weather-tracking database and long-term recovery planning, including housing, education support and psychosocial assistance.
On Tuesday, Cabinet adopted the National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan to prepare for climate-induced disasters during the predicted normal to above-normal rainfall season.
The plan seeks to strengthen capacity for disaster preparedness and response to ensure timely and coordinated action.
In his post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the plan seeks to strengthen preparedness and improve co-ordinated response structures from national to village level.
“The plan will also instill a culture of resilience building and disaster risk reduction for sustainable development,” said Dr Muswere.
