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Bulawayo left to count the cost
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Torrential rains accompanied by strong winds wreaked havoc in Bulawayo on Tuesday afternoon, leaving scores of families homeless as roofs were ripped off homes, schools, and a church. The storm, which lasted approximately three hours, caused widespread flooding, damaged property, and overwhelmed the city's drainage systems.
Hardest hit were Sizinda, Richmond, Harrisvale, and Entumbane suburbs. In Sizinda, 20 families residing in Sizinda Flats were left without shelter, while two families in Richmond and Harrisvale were also affected. Ntabeni Primary School in Entumbane suffered extensive damage, with two classroom blocks losing their roofs, while the New Apostolic Church in Sizinda was completely unroofed.
Residents described the storm as a terrifying ordeal.
"It happened so quickly. One moment we were having supper, and the next, the wind was howling, and our roof was gone. Rain poured into the house, soaking everything, and we lost all our foodstuff," said Gogo Eresia Machokovhingo, a Sizinda resident.
Another victim, Mr. Trust Zabi, took matters into his own hands, replacing his flat's roofing at an estimated cost of US$250. "I decided to use my means rather than wait for assistance, as I don't know when these rains will stop," he said.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade, led by Chief Fire Officer Mr. Mhlangano Moyo, worked through the night to provide temporary coverage for affected homes and buildings.
"We are facing a reality of dwindling resources, and should a similar disaster occur, our ability to respond will be severely challenged," warned Mrs. Tswagai Fikile Marovatsanga, Local Government Director for Bulawayo and head of the provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
Affected families, particularly in Sizinda, are in urgent need of food, clothing, and blankets. The estimated cost of damages across the city is ZWG200,000.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre had issued a heavy rainfall advisory for the region, warning of potential thunderstorms from January 10 to 15 due to a tropical storm located 3,000km away from Zimbabwe.
Elsewhere in Zimbabwe, the CPU reported storm damage to Muponjane Primary School in Zvishavane, Midlands province, where four classrooms lost their roofs, with repairs estimated at US$8,120. The storm exacerbated existing infrastructure challenges at the school.
Since the start of the 2024/25 rainfall season, 15 people have lost their lives due to weather-related incidents. The CPU also highlighted a rescue mission underway in Chiredzi, Masvingo province, where two men are stranded along the Runde River as water levels rise dangerously.
The CPU committee in Bulawayo faces further challenges in relocating Cowdray Park residents whose homes remain drenched. With schools reopening for the term, proposed relocation sites, such as Cowdray Park Secondary and Tategulu Primary Schools, are no longer viable options.
As Bulawayo grapples with the aftermath of the storm, local authorities and relief agencies are racing against time to assist affected residents. The disaster underscores the need for improved urban infrastructure and preparedness to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events in the future.
Hardest hit were Sizinda, Richmond, Harrisvale, and Entumbane suburbs. In Sizinda, 20 families residing in Sizinda Flats were left without shelter, while two families in Richmond and Harrisvale were also affected. Ntabeni Primary School in Entumbane suffered extensive damage, with two classroom blocks losing their roofs, while the New Apostolic Church in Sizinda was completely unroofed.
Residents described the storm as a terrifying ordeal.
"It happened so quickly. One moment we were having supper, and the next, the wind was howling, and our roof was gone. Rain poured into the house, soaking everything, and we lost all our foodstuff," said Gogo Eresia Machokovhingo, a Sizinda resident.
Another victim, Mr. Trust Zabi, took matters into his own hands, replacing his flat's roofing at an estimated cost of US$250. "I decided to use my means rather than wait for assistance, as I don't know when these rains will stop," he said.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade, led by Chief Fire Officer Mr. Mhlangano Moyo, worked through the night to provide temporary coverage for affected homes and buildings.
Affected families, particularly in Sizinda, are in urgent need of food, clothing, and blankets. The estimated cost of damages across the city is ZWG200,000.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre had issued a heavy rainfall advisory for the region, warning of potential thunderstorms from January 10 to 15 due to a tropical storm located 3,000km away from Zimbabwe.
Elsewhere in Zimbabwe, the CPU reported storm damage to Muponjane Primary School in Zvishavane, Midlands province, where four classrooms lost their roofs, with repairs estimated at US$8,120. The storm exacerbated existing infrastructure challenges at the school.
Since the start of the 2024/25 rainfall season, 15 people have lost their lives due to weather-related incidents. The CPU also highlighted a rescue mission underway in Chiredzi, Masvingo province, where two men are stranded along the Runde River as water levels rise dangerously.
The CPU committee in Bulawayo faces further challenges in relocating Cowdray Park residents whose homes remain drenched. With schools reopening for the term, proposed relocation sites, such as Cowdray Park Secondary and Tategulu Primary Schools, are no longer viable options.
As Bulawayo grapples with the aftermath of the storm, local authorities and relief agencies are racing against time to assist affected residents. The disaster underscores the need for improved urban infrastructure and preparedness to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events in the future.
Source - The Chronicle
