One person is confirmed dead while thousands others have been left homeless as floods continue to wreck havoc across Zimbabwe forcing the government to declare a national disaster.

Muzarabani Floods

“Contrary to earlier reports that put the number of the deceased at three one person has died while another one is missing in the Chadereka area of Muzarabani and around the floods have affected 1000 people while several homes were destroyed.”

“We will constantly give the nation updates on the flood threats. However, we want to urge people living in low-lying areas to closely monitor water levels and move to higher ground in time before the floods as Zimbabwe is expecting more rains as indicated by the Meteorological Services Department.”

The Zimbabwe Gazette witnessed first hand the sorry situation in Muzarabani, which lies near the Mozambican border, during a visit to the farming area this week.

Electricity as well as telecommunications network in the area were not spared by the devastating storm, which is also feared to have marooned villagers in Chiwenga, Chimoyo and Kairezi villages near the border with Mozambique.

The devastating downpour ravaged crops, uprooted trees, swept away a bridge and damaged the road linking the area and Muzarabani Business Centre.

Buses that ply the Muzarabani-Chadereka route have withdrawn their services owing to bad roads that were damaged by the floods leaving hundreds of travelers stranded.

“Everything that I have worked is gone in flash and I shudder to think what my life will be like without a place to sleep. It will be a bleak Christmas for me and my family as we will have to make do with donated food whose availability is not guaranteed,” said 76 –year old Mbuya Miriam Manyemba.

Another village said he felt cursed as his home was also washed away when the floods hit Muzarabani during the last rainy season.

“Last year my home was washed away and after moving to a higher ground and constructing another one I am faced with the same predicament and that leaves me with no option that to believe that some bad luck is following me.”

“Our hope is that the government and other donor agencies will move swiftly to assist,” said Maxwell Mudimu.

“We expect the rains to continue into Christmas and are warning villagers in low lying areas to move to higher ground,” said chief meteorologist Hector Chikoore.

Meanwhile, non-governmental organisations and some religious bodies have started pulling in resources in a bid to bring a silver lining to the dark cloud that is looming over the villagers affected by the floods.

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