Residents in New Canaan and Mbare struggle with flooding from heavy rains

As has now become the norm, the meteorologists of the Sadc states have been meeting early, this time in Lusaka last week in their 31st Southern African Regional Climate Outlook, to apply their growing experience and meshed skills to giving Governments and farmers the best possible indication of what can be expected.

Diana Nherera

Online Writer

The City of Harare has reported that areas like New Canaan in Highfield near Gazaland are experiencing flooding from the foundations, with water entering houses through the floors.

The Chair of Health, Risk, Disaster, and Public Safety, Councillor Jane Bhingari, noted during a recent visit to several houses that flooding was visible originating from the foundations.

“When there is a significant amount of rain, the houses experience flooding.

“I think we really need to consider this in the near future, to assess how long residents can live in those houses and what the dangers are,” she said.

Councillor Bhingari highlighted that the area has been experiencing flooding for several years.

“This area needs to be treated differently as it has been like this for years, so there is a need for investigations to be carried out,” she stated.

Councillor Bhingari mentioned that in the Sunshine Bazaar area in Mbare, water flows from the houses behind the shops.

“Shops were built, and when we toured the area, we asked the engineers to ensure that a drainage system was implemented, but this has not yet happened.

“Residents behind Sunshine Bazaar indicated that water flows from the houses to where the shops are,” she added.

So far, Cllr Bhingari reported that Budiriro has not faced challenges, as residents in houses that previously experienced flooding have been relocated.

“However, we still need to remove people from the flood-prone area in Budiriro. We have relocated those at high risk, and we will continue to do so in phases,” she said.

Councillor Bhingari also attributed littering as another cause of flooding in drainage systems, noting that significant efforts have been made to unclog the drains.

She mentioned that rubble from the Murambatsvina operation has also contributed to flooding in Highfield.

Last year, in her ward (Ward 25 Highfield), Cllr Bhingari stated that not much flooding was experienced because the drainage system had been cleared, except for some houses that continued to experience flooding.