Heavy rains destroy Gokwe's Sesame Bridge again

Sesame Bridge in Gokwe South, which was rebuilt by the Ministry of Transport after being destroyed by heavy rains in December 2023, has been washed away once again due to the recent downpours.

The bridge, located in a region that has faced persistent weather challenges, was destroyed earlier this week, with Gokwe South Rural District Council (RDC) CEO Jabulani Gute attributing the damage to both the strength of the rains and the lack of proper structural reinforcements, such as gabions.

"The bridge was washed away again due to the heavy rains and the fact that when it was repaired, gabions were not installed to strengthen the structure," Gute explained. "This has left the bridge particularly vulnerable to the powerful rains we have been experiencing."

In addition to Sesame Bridge, Manhede Bridge in the Mapfungautsi Constituency was also partially damaged, though Gute mentioned that it could be temporarily repaired.

"The rains have caused a lot of damage in our area," said Gute. "We have been facing challenges with our roads, especially because of the loose soils, but we are already working to address them. However, Sesame Bridge is severely affected, and we have had to close it temporarily until the rainy season is over."

Due to the extent of the flooding, the council is unable to fully assess the damage or determine the cost of repairs. Gute stressed that a comprehensive assessment would be conducted once the water levels subside.

"At the moment, we cannot even assess the situation properly or come up with a bill of quantities needed to fix the bridge due to the amount of water at the site," he said. "We plan to address the damage after the rains end, but in the meantime, the bridge will remain closed for safety."

The ongoing challenges with road infrastructure in the area have further underscored the vulnerability of rural regions to climate-related disruptions. Gute emphasized that the council is actively working on repairing roads, despite the rainy season's ongoing impact.

"We are not waiting for the rainy season to end before addressing the roads; people need access to essential services, and we are working on improving the roads as much as we can," he said.

As the region continues to recover from the devastating rains, local authorities are hopeful that the necessary repairs will be made once the weather allows, ensuring that vital transport routes are restored for the community.