News / National
Zimbabwe faces heightened floods risk
5 hrs ago |
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The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net) has issued a warning that recent heavy rains and saturated ground could lead to dangerous water accumulation and flooding, with torrential downpours forecast across the region next week.
According to Fews Net's latest outlook, intense and persistent rainfall is expected in eastern, northern, and central parts of southern Africa, while western and southern areas will likely receive light to moderate rainfall.
"Torrential rainfall is likely in southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, eastern South Africa, and east-central Madagascar, increasing the risks of flooding in several areas of the region," the report stated.
The agency noted that consecutive weeks of rainfall have already worsened ground conditions and caused flooding in multiple countries, including Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, and warned that flooding is likely to continue in the coming weeks.
Over the past week, moderate to heavy rainfall persisted across northern and eastern southern Africa, including eastern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and parts of eastern South Africa. South-central Africa, which includes Zimbabwe, has experienced 120% to over 200% of normal rainfall in many areas, according to Fews Net.
In contrast, western and southern regions such as Angola, western Namibia, southwestern South Africa, and southern Madagascar have recorded below-average rainfall, ranging from 1% to 80% of normal levels.
The Department of Civil Protection earlier reported that heavy rains during the 2025-26 season have already claimed 70 lives, injured 51 people, and destroyed more than 1 000 homesteads in Zimbabwe. Manicaland has been hardest hit, with 510 households affected and 41 fatalities, followed by Mashonaland East (192 households), Mashonaland Central (130), and Mashonaland West (127), which reported 19 deaths.
Authorities have urged communities in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and to follow guidance from disaster management officials as the rainy season continues.
According to Fews Net's latest outlook, intense and persistent rainfall is expected in eastern, northern, and central parts of southern Africa, while western and southern areas will likely receive light to moderate rainfall.
"Torrential rainfall is likely in southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, eastern South Africa, and east-central Madagascar, increasing the risks of flooding in several areas of the region," the report stated.
The agency noted that consecutive weeks of rainfall have already worsened ground conditions and caused flooding in multiple countries, including Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, and warned that flooding is likely to continue in the coming weeks.
Over the past week, moderate to heavy rainfall persisted across northern and eastern southern Africa, including eastern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and parts of eastern South Africa. South-central Africa, which includes Zimbabwe, has experienced 120% to over 200% of normal rainfall in many areas, according to Fews Net.
In contrast, western and southern regions such as Angola, western Namibia, southwestern South Africa, and southern Madagascar have recorded below-average rainfall, ranging from 1% to 80% of normal levels.
The Department of Civil Protection earlier reported that heavy rains during the 2025-26 season have already claimed 70 lives, injured 51 people, and destroyed more than 1 000 homesteads in Zimbabwe. Manicaland has been hardest hit, with 510 households affected and 41 fatalities, followed by Mashonaland East (192 households), Mashonaland Central (130), and Mashonaland West (127), which reported 19 deaths.
Authorities have urged communities in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and to follow guidance from disaster management officials as the rainy season continues.
Source - newsday
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