15 dead as heavy rains ravage Zimbabwe

At least 15 people have died, and 785 households have been affected across Zimbabwe as relentless rains continue to wreak havoc in many parts of the country. The devastation, recorded since September last year, has left communities grappling with destroyed infrastructure and rising safety concerns.

The most affected areas include the Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland North provinces, where escalating damage to homes, schools, and health facilities has disrupted access to education and essential services.

The Midlands Province has borne the brunt of the disaster, with 433 households affected. Notable damage occurred on January 11 at Muponjane Primary School in Zvishavane, where a powerful storm caused significant destruction, worsening the school's classroom shortages. Repairs are estimated to cost US$8,120, leaving the institution in a precarious position.

Meanwhile, two middle-aged men remain stranded along the flooded Runde River near Citrus Plantation. The river's intensifying flow poses a grave threat, and the District Civil Protection Committee is mobilizing a rescue team to evacuate them.

The rains have also led to fatal mining incidents. On December 27, three miners in Hwedza lost their lives when a shaft collapsed, with their bodies retrieved a week later. In Makaha, Mudzi district, another mining disaster left three miners trapped underground 14 days ago. One miner managed to escape, and rescue operations are ongoing.

In Mberengwa, two miners died last Thursday in a similar incident, further highlighting the dangers faced by artisanal miners during the rainy season. Authorities are now recommending the closure of high-risk areas like Chikomba mining site to prevent further loss of life.

Urban areas have also been affected. Flash floods hit Mbare, Harare, on January 8, inundating homes near the new Mbare Traders' temporary market. Poor drainage in the area exacerbated the situation, leaving residents vulnerable.

In Mashonaland Central, the storm devastated Avonda Farm along the Bindura-Harare highway on January 7, ripping roofs off 11 households. Relief efforts by the Department of Civil Protection provided affected families with rice, tinned beef, and sanitizers.

The rains have damaged 118 schools and 13 health facilities nationwide, disrupting education and healthcare. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, but with more rain expected in the coming days, the situation remains dire.

"More rains could exacerbate the damage already experienced," an official warned, urging communities to remain vigilant and prioritize safety.

As Zimbabwe faces nature's fury, the challenge ahead is not only in managing immediate rescue operations but also in rebuilding the lives and infrastructure devastated by this unprecedented rainy season.