Source: 2024/2025 rainy season deadliest in years | The Sunday Mail
Nokuthula Dube
THE 2024/2025 rainy season has been the deadliest in the past three years, with 66 fatalities recorded so far — double the 33 deaths in 2022/2023 and significantly higher than the 38 last summer, the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) has confirmed.
In addition to the loss of life, severe weather has caused extensive destruction to infrastructure, with preliminary estimates placing the damage at over ZiG286 million (about US$10,7 million).
Heavy rains, flash floods, strong winds, landslides and lightning have wreaked havoc across the country, destroying homes, roads, bridges, schools and health facilities.
The most affected provinces were Manicaland, Midlands, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North and Mashonaland West, where high rainfall, wetlands and dam-related drownings have contributed to the losses.
DCP data shows that most fatalities were from drownings, mine collapses and landslides.
The authorities also attribute the rising death toll to religious gatherings and reckless behaviour during storms, with some individuals ignoring safety warnings.
“The 2024/2025 rainfall season has been characterised by heavy rains, flash floods, strong winds, landslides, rock falls and lightning, which resulted in destruction of infrastructure, injuries and deaths mainly resulting from drowning incidents,” said DCP chief director Mr Nathan Nkomo.
“To date, the total number of households affected is 1 063.
“The total number of deaths recorded to date is 66.“Statistics of fatalities for the past three years indicate that the 2024/2025 rainfall season had more fatalities than the previous two years.” Agricultural and mining activities have further increased risks.
In Chipinge district, for example, 15 people were marooned while farming on Lisungwe island. “Activities such as farming and mining that communities undertake have made them vulnerable to rainfall incidents,” Mr Nkomo added.
“A case in point is that of Chipinge district, where 15 people were marooned as they were undertaking agricultural activities on Lisungwe island at the confluence of rivers.
“Religious activities and recklessness have also contributed to the deaths.”
Preliminary estimates indicate that storms damaged infrastructure worth an estimated ZiG286 million, with roads, bridges, homes, schools and health facilities among the worst hit.
The education sector alone has suffered over US$10,4 million in damages, with strong winds and hailstorms tearing off school roofs, particularly in rural areas, where ageing structures were already vulnerable.
“A comprehensive analysis of damages is underway and a total estimate of the budget will be provided.
“Compilation of bills of quantities for critical infrastructure damaged is ongoing.
“The contingency plan estimated costs of damages at ZiG$286 million.”
Midlands province, which is set to host this year’s Independence Day celebrations next month, has seen major damage to roads, especially those linking Mberengwa and Gokwe North, which is set to host the commemorations.
Some of the affected roads are already being rehabilitated.
“For the education sector, damages reported were mainly on roofs, which were blown off by strong winds and hailstorm,” said Mr Nkomo.
“It is noted that old and dilapidated schools’ infrastructure in most rural areas has increased the susceptibility of structures to extreme weather events.
“The multi-hazard contingency plan estimated cost of damages in the education sector at US$10,4 million.
“The challenges presented are also exacerbated by the fact that reconstruction work from the previous rainfall season was not completed and, in certain instances, was not done.”
The authorities believe climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, with cyclones and unpredictable heavy rainfall becoming more frequent.
“The current rainfall season has recorded the highest damages compared to previous years,” he continued.
“This is a result of several factors, which include the poor building materials used to construct houses in rural areas, where pole and mud are used.
“Varying development levels in respective regions which include dams contribute to the extent of the impact of disasters.”
The DCP, he said, was ramping up education and awareness campaigns to help communities prepare for future disasters.
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