Heatwave and water crisis grip Beitbridge

The escalating effects of climate change are manifesting with greater severity, as Beitbridge District faced sweltering temperatures of up to 42°C yesterday. The extreme heatwave has intensified demand for clean drinking water, placing significant strain on the town's already limited supply.

Beitbridge Municipality is grappling with meeting the daily water demand of 18 mega-litres, a challenge exacerbated by the El Niño-induced drought. The situation has been worsened by financial constraints, with the council owing the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) over ZiG3 million. Concurrently, residents, ratepayers, and government departments owe the municipality over ZiG40 million, further crippling efforts to address the water crisis.

Deputy Mayor John Manatsa highlighted the financial hurdles, revealing that the council requires at least US$20,000 weekly to maintain normal water supplies and settle half of its ZINWA debt during each recharge.

"The shortage is directly linked to limited resources. Addressing this requires collective effort from all stakeholders," said Manatsa.

The water crisis has fueled a surge in water vending across Beitbridge, with prices climbing significantly. Buckets of water now cost R5, up from R3, while 1,000-litre tanks are selling for R100 to R120. Purified water prices in retail outlets have also risen, from R5–R7 to R10 per bottle.

Water vendors and dealers are reporting brisk business due to the heatwave. A local purified water dealer shared that daily sales have doubled, necessitating an increase in purification capacity.

"Previously, we sold 8,000 litres daily. Now we're processing double that," said the dealer.

Mary, another vendor, noted that sales of soft drinks and bottled water have surged. "Truck drivers, customs agents, and travelers are buying more, making this a profitable period despite the challenges," she said.

While vendors benefit from the heatwave, taxi operators are struggling as residents limit outdoor activities.

"Few people are moving around in this heat," lamented Yope Ndou, a taxi driver. "We're relying on regular customers and occasional errands."

Despite the extreme heat, Beitbridge District Medical Officer, Dr. Lenos Samhere, reported no heat-related illnesses or fatalities in local health facilities.

Authorities and residents alike are navigating the dual challenges of the heatwave and water shortages, which highlight the urgent need for climate resilience measures and sustainable water management in the region.