A total of 134 people have died since the start of the 2025/26 rainy season, according to the latest report from the Department of Civil Protection.
The report also confirms 56 cases of people being marooned, while 237 schools have been damaged. Reads the report:
“The rising levels in water bodies and flooding of rivers have prompted cases of marooning, people being swept away, huts collapsing, and communities cut off from essential services.”
Infrastructure has also taken a heavy hit, making an already difficult situation worse for many communities.
Traffic was brought to a standstill for nearly an hour on Sunday afternoon at Shangani Bridge along the Gweru–Bulawayo Highway after the bridge was flooded.
Gweru District Development Coordinator Tarisai Mudadigwa said it was the first time the Shangani Bridge had ever flooded. He added that the area, which borders Midlands Province, recorded more than 170mm of rain in just nine hours.
Primary school pupils who had gone on a weekend trip to a nearby wildlife sanctuary were forced to extend their stay by a day, as vehicles could not get through the flooded streams.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has since issued a public advisory warning about dam spillages and water releases at Tugwi-Mukosi, Mutirikwi and Manjirenji dams.
Elsewhere, several incidents have been reported. In Zvishavane District, 16 gold panners were marooned in the Muchingwe River on 15 March but were successfully rescued.
In Chiredzi District, four men were rescued on 13 March after trying to cross the flooded Runde River.
Tragically, in Muzarabani, twin siblings who were ECD pupils at Utete Primary School drowned on 9 March while attempting to cross a flooded stream on their way home.
On 16 March, two men were swept away by the Munyati River in Gokwe while trying to cross in a makeshift boat. One was rescued, but the other is still missing.
In response, the government says it has activated civil protection structures at national, provincial, district, ward and village levels.
It claims funds have been released for disaster response, and humanitarian assistance — including food and other essentials — is being distributed to affected households.
More: The Herald
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