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Heavy rains pound Bulawayo, Masvingo
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Heavy rains and severe flooding have devastated parts of southern and southwestern Zimbabwe, with Bulawayo and Masvingo cities among the hardest hit. Torrential rains on Tuesday caused local rivers to overflow, submerging buildings, washing away infrastructure, and leading to the tragic loss of lives.
At least 27 people have drowned in Zimbabwe since last month. In Masvingo, about 300km south of Harare, the floods wreaked havoc across the city, inundating residential areas and commercial properties. One of the worst-hit areas was Caravan Park, located on the banks of the Shakashe River, where homes and structures were completely submerged.
The Mucheke River's overflowing waters also destroyed Chimusana Bridge, a critical structure still under construction that connects the city center to high-density suburbs and the Harare-Beitbridge Highway. The destruction of the bridge caused massive traffic jams and left motorists and pedestrians stranded, further highlighting the dire impact of the flooding.
Residents reported extensive property damage, with homes, shops, and streets flooded. Images and videos shared on social media show collapsed walls, waterlogged homes, and perimeter walls washed away by the deluge. Property worth thousands of dollars has been destroyed, leaving affected families struggling to recover.
Bulawayo also faced widespread flooding, as heavy rains overwhelmed drainage systems in the city. Streets turned into rivers, and homes in low-lying areas were submerged.
The flooding has exposed the poor drainage infrastructure in both cities, as well as a lack of preparedness to handle such natural disasters. Residents expressed frustration with the authorities, accusing them of negligence and failing to act swiftly to mitigate the crisis.
In Masvingo, town clerk Edward Mukaratirwa has come under fire for downplaying the severity of the situation. Mukaratirwa controversially claimed that some videos of the flooding circulating on social media were photoshopped, sparking outrage among residents who felt their suffering was being dismissed.
As the rains continue, the situation remains dire. Affected residents have called for immediate government intervention, including relief efforts and a long-term plan to improve drainage systems and disaster preparedness. The flooding serves as a stark reminder of the need for cities to invest in resilient infrastructure to protect communities from the devastating impact of extreme weather events.
At least 27 people have drowned in Zimbabwe since last month. In Masvingo, about 300km south of Harare, the floods wreaked havoc across the city, inundating residential areas and commercial properties. One of the worst-hit areas was Caravan Park, located on the banks of the Shakashe River, where homes and structures were completely submerged.
The Mucheke River's overflowing waters also destroyed Chimusana Bridge, a critical structure still under construction that connects the city center to high-density suburbs and the Harare-Beitbridge Highway. The destruction of the bridge caused massive traffic jams and left motorists and pedestrians stranded, further highlighting the dire impact of the flooding.
Residents reported extensive property damage, with homes, shops, and streets flooded. Images and videos shared on social media show collapsed walls, waterlogged homes, and perimeter walls washed away by the deluge. Property worth thousands of dollars has been destroyed, leaving affected families struggling to recover.
Bulawayo also faced widespread flooding, as heavy rains overwhelmed drainage systems in the city. Streets turned into rivers, and homes in low-lying areas were submerged.
The flooding has exposed the poor drainage infrastructure in both cities, as well as a lack of preparedness to handle such natural disasters. Residents expressed frustration with the authorities, accusing them of negligence and failing to act swiftly to mitigate the crisis.
In Masvingo, town clerk Edward Mukaratirwa has come under fire for downplaying the severity of the situation. Mukaratirwa controversially claimed that some videos of the flooding circulating on social media were photoshopped, sparking outrage among residents who felt their suffering was being dismissed.
As the rains continue, the situation remains dire. Affected residents have called for immediate government intervention, including relief efforts and a long-term plan to improve drainage systems and disaster preparedness. The flooding serves as a stark reminder of the need for cities to invest in resilient infrastructure to protect communities from the devastating impact of extreme weather events.
Source - online
