Zimbabwe’s ongoing rainy season has so far claimed nine lives and left a trail of destruction across several provinces, the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) has reported. As of November 7, the disaster management agency documented significant damage to households, schools, and critical infrastructure, underscoring the urgency of coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts.
In an interview with state media, DCP Chief Director Nathan Nkomo provided a detailed account of the fatalities and property losses. The deadliest incidents occurred in Chirumanzu and Kwekwe districts, where both natural and industrial vulnerabilities combined with severe weather to tragic effect.
In Chirumanzu District, a child lost their life when a house collapsed under the force of strong winds and heavy rain on November 2. Mr Nkomo said the storm severely affected Wards 4, 15, and 19, leaving eight households in urgent need of assistance. “Sadly, in Village 16 of Ward 4, one child died after a house collapsed due to the heavy storm,” he confirmed. Several other homes in the district were damaged, rendering eight families homeless and highlighting the precarious living conditions in storm-prone rural communities.
On the same day, in Silobela, Kwekwe District, tragedy struck miners who were trapped underground following sudden flooding. Eight workers lost their lives in what has been described as one of the deadliest weather-related incidents of the season, pointing to the compounded risks faced by miners in flood-prone areas.
Storms have also wreaked havoc on educational facilities across the country. In Chirumanzu, Moffat Primary School and Musena Secondary School sustained structural damage, including roofs being blown off, although no casualties were reported. Similarly, in Midlands Province, the Dadaya Training Centre suffered extensive damage, with classroom roofs, teacher cottages, power lines, and other infrastructure affected. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries at the training centre.
The situation in Matabeleland South has been equally severe. Local authorities, including the District Civil Protection Committee, have provided temporary shelters for displaced families. Area legislator Cde Fisani Moyo pledged US$200 worth of groceries and accommodation for those affected. On November 5, five families in Gwanda Urban were left homeless after strong winds tore off the roof of their dwelling. Other incidents include damage to the Makwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District, which suffered hail damage on September 29, and Bengo Secondary School, which lost parts of its roof on October 27. In Masvingo, windstorms on October 27 destroyed seven out of nine roofs at Njovho Primary School, impacting 1,206 learners and numerous teachers.
Zimbabwe’s Rainy Season Claims Nine Lives, Causes Widespread Destruction Across Provinces
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has mobilized to assess damage and coordinate emergency repairs. Mr Nkomo emphasised the critical need for resources, including tents, food, and non-food relief items, warning that delays could worsen the plight of affected communities. “We need adequate resources—tents, food, and non-food items. The urgent release of funds by Treasury is critical for disaster preparedness and recovery,” he said.
On the ground, relief efforts are underway to assist vulnerable households. In Chirumanzu District, tarpaulin tents have been dispatched to provide temporary shelter, and 150kg of rice has been delivered to support eight households left homeless by the storms. Similar interventions are planned across other affected districts as authorities work to stabilise communities and prevent further loss of life.
The destruction caused by this year’s rainy season has exposed the vulnerability of Zimbabwe’s rural and peri-urban areas to extreme weather events. It also highlights the urgent need for proactive disaster management and investment in resilient infrastructure, particularly in schools and residential areas susceptible to storm damage.
As the rainy season continues, the DCP has urged residents to remain vigilant and for local authorities to strengthen early warning systems. With climate-related disasters expected to increase in frequency and intensity, coordinated action between government ministries, disaster management bodies, and local communities will be essential to mitigate risks and protect lives.
Zimbabwe’s rainy season has already left nine dead, dozens displaced, and multiple schools and infrastructure damaged. Relief and recovery efforts continue, with authorities stressing the need for rapid mobilisation of resources and community support to ensure that affected households can rebuild safely and resiliently. The coming weeks will test the country’s preparedness and capacity to respond to ongoing extreme weather conditions.
