HEAVY rains pounding the country during the 2025-26 season have claimed 70 lives, injured 51 people and destroyed more than 1 000 homesteads, the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) said yesterday.
According to the department, Manicaland province has been the worst affected, accounting for 510 households, followed by Mashonaland East (192), Mashonaland Central (130) and Mashonaland West (127). Manicaland recorded the highest death toll, with 41 fatalities and 31 injuries, while Mashonaland West reported 19 deaths.
DCP said the figures were compiled from rainfall-related incidents recorded between January 1 and 9, 2026, noting that as the rainyseason intensifies, provinces continue to submit updates on emerging impacts.
Reports were received by the Department of Civil Protection from Midlands, Matabeleland and Harare Metropolitan provinces. Heavy rains affected people across the three provinces and one death was recorded, the department said.
In Harare, heavy rains on January 4 triggered flooding in Dumbujena Street, Mbare and New Canaan, Highfield, prompting distress calls to the Local Government and Public Works ministry.
The department also reported that 37 schools across several provinces were affected by rainfall-related incidents. Other damaged infrastructure include the Buhera Civil Registry, inmate blocks at Khami Prison and several health institutions.
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) accused city leaders of misplaced priorities, persistent neglect, and failure to rehabilitate drainage infrastructure.
“Over the years, the local authority has been allocating housing stands on wetlands, open spaces and waterways, exposing residents to flooding and other natural disasters,” CHRA, led by Reuben Akili, said.
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The association said declining revenue inflows had pushed the city to rely on land sales to pay salaries, a practice later halted by a directive from the Local Government ministry.
However, Harare mayor Jacob Mafume said the city welcomed the rains, which were expected to boost water supplies, although he acknowledged the challenges posed by flooding.
“Unfortunately, the rains came with their own problems, but we will deal with the effects of flash flooding and improve the drainage system. We remain thankful for the rains,” Mafume said, adding that council engineers were on the ground.
In a separate statement, the City of Harare said it was on high alert following days of relentless rainfall that triggered flash flooding in low-lying areas, including Mbare, Highfield, Waterfalls, Warren Park, Budiriro and Glen Norah.
Acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo urged residents to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures as the city works with the Civil Protection Department to mitigate flood risks.
Residents were advised to monitor weather alerts, adjust travel plans, avoid parking under trees, refrain from dumping litter in drains and assist in deblocking drainage systems near their properties.
“To avoid congestion due to rain, we encourage motorists to adjust travelling times and leave the CBD early,” Mabhena Moyo said.
Meanwhile, a city environmental team led by acting head of strategy Amos Muguti toured flood-affected areas and flagged Glen View 7, developed by Paradise Property Development Company, for lacking development permits and basic infrastructure.
“Our assessment revealed that there were no development permits or supporting documentation to make the area suitable for settlement. Despite this, numerous houses have already been built,” Muguti said.
“During our inspection, we noted the absence of basic infrastructure such as proper roads, sewer systems and water services. The development was neither serviced nor approved by the City of Harare. The developer proceeded to sell stands to beneficiaries, who, unfortunately, are the residents affected by the floods that occurred yesterday (Sunday).
“We will engage the developer through our district offices to ensure the installation of both off-site and on-site infrastructure and to address road design, sewer and water systems, as well as the reopening and proper design of drainage channels.
