Situation Overview
Rainfall signicantly receded in the past week, bringing relief to families that were aected by floods in late January. The Department of Meteorological Services reported that the forecast for the next ten days looks favourable with ‘spatial distribution of rainfall expected across the country’. The Meteorological Services Department further stated that the rainfall expected should not cause alarm for further flooding. The receding rainfall has lowered chances of major flooding in the flood prone areas of Muzarabani, Middle Sabi, Tsholotsho and Chikwalakwala, some of which suered severe impacts of flooding, according to Department of Civil Protection (DCP).
Meanwhile, the Zambezi River ows have been increasing as a result of the rains being experienced within the country and the Zambezi upstream countries, according to a report issued by the DCP on 28 January. The DCP says that in the Sanyati Catchment (Midlands Province) there has been a 0.7% increase in the dam levels since the 21st of January and the level stands at 77.8% full. Chances of ooding in Gokwe remain high if rainfall continues. Also downstream at Chidodo in the Mbire District (Mashonaland West), while the Musengezi River level has decreased, the area remains vulnerable to ooding in the event of heavy rains.
The major damages remain in the infrastructure sector with roads, bridges being washed away, cutting off communities from their day-to-day access to social and economic activities.