Torrential rains lashing Manicaland province have claimed ten lives and caused widespread destruction, leaving a trail of devastation across the region. The relentless downpours, with some areas recording over 141 millimetres of rainfall, have overwhelmed infrastructure and created a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas of Chipinge, Chimanimani, and Nyanga.
The most recent tragedy involved two young schoolchildren, Anenyasha Chipango (five) and Moreblessing Washata (six), who drowned on Monday while attempting to cross the flooded Umvumvumvu River. The children were learners at Tinashe Early Childhood Development Centre, a satellite of Matendeudze Primary School in Chimanimani.
Department of Civil Protection Manicaland provincial chairman, Mr John Misi, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, urging caution: “On January 27, at approximately 2:30pm, Anenyasha and Moreblessing were on their way home from school with other learners when they attempted to cross the flooded Umvumvumvu River. Unfortunately, they were swept away. Other learners alerted villagers, who retrieved Anenyasha’s body about 5km away, while Moreblessing’s body remains missing,” he said.
Mr Misi also stressed the importance of parental involvement in escorting young children to and from school to prevent further tragedies.
This heartbreaking incident follows two similar tragedies in Mutare a fortnight ago, where two other children lost their lives in separate drowning incidents during heavy rainfall. Devon Mvuduma (12), a Grade Six pupil at 3 Brigade Primary School, was swept away while walking home, her body later recovered after a lengthy search. Kelvin Dhanisa Katsande (11) drowned while collecting rabbit feed with friends near Aerodrome Road.
The impact of the rains extends far beyond these tragic losses. Mr Misi reported that the heavy rainfall is part of a broader trend of increased rainfall variability and extreme weather events in the province. He detailed the extent of the damage: “A total of 48 administrative wards and 73 villages have been impacted by the current wet spell, affecting 572 households and 2 711 people.
“Unfortunately, this has resulted in 10 deaths and 27 injuries throughout the province. The adverse weather conditions have also caused destruction to homesteads, schools, institutions, roads, power lines and crop fields, highlighting the need for ongoing support for those affected,” he said.
The districts of Buhera, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Makoni, Mutasa, Mutare, and Nyanga have all been affected, with varying numbers of households impacted: 150, 20, 81, 93, 38, 89, and 101 respectively.
Mr Misi highlighted the vulnerability of poorly constructed homes: “Our people should prioritise building durable houses that can withstand adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately, many houses, such as midhindwa or pole and dagga, were destroyed due to poor construction.
“There is a pressing need for communities to collaborate closely with rural district councils when allocating settlement areas to avoid the construction of properties in hazardous locations such as waterways, vleis, pastures and mountains, which often create challenges for the Government,” he explained.
He also advised motorists using the Skyline Route in Chimanimani to exercise extreme caution due to the risk of rockfalls and landslides.
Mr Misi strongly advocated for the adoption of a “Build Right First” approach to construction, emphasizing the use of durable, weather-resistant materials and adherence to building codes and standards. He also urged residents to consider property insurance as a means of mitigating financial losses from future disasters.
“By adopting the ‘Build Right First’ concept, communities can reduce the risk of damage from natural disasters, minimise costly repairs and reconstruction, while enhancing safety and well-being of occupants.
“This proactive approach can help mitigate the devastating impacts of adverse weather conditions, as seen in Manicaland. The people of Manicaland must consider insurance for their properties as a prudent step in managing risk and protecting themselves against unforeseen events, such as natural disasters,” he concluded. T
