Residents are seen protecting themselves by the rain in the aftermath of the passage of the cyclone Idai in Beira, Mozambique, on March 17, 2019. AFP / ADRIEN BARBIER
Harare: A total of 60 people have died and nine others have been injured in rainfall-related incidents across Zimbabwe since the start of the rainy season last October, the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) said Thursday.
After experiencing below-average rainfall between October and December 2024, the country has seen significant downpours since January, triggering a series of rain-induced disasters, including drownings and lightning strikes.
According to a situation report issued by the DCP, the heavy rains have caused damage to public infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, roads, bridges, dams, electricity poles, and irrigation infrastructure.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended condolences to affected families, said Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe, while also expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction of public infrastructure caused by the rainfall-induced disasters.
The minister encouraged artisanal miners to suspend operations until ground conditions stabilize and called on citizens to avoid open areas during storms, refrain from crossing flooded rivers, and stay informed through reliable weather updates.
The DCP, in collaboration with police and the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, is actively conducting search and rescue operations, while the government continues to mobilize resources for recovery efforts, he added.
Zimbabwe's rainy season typically runs from October to March.
