Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri,

AT least 85 percent of the country’s major dams are full and spilling after heavy, above-normal rains were received last month.
The country’s major dams continue to record significant increases as a result of the torrential rains being received across the country. The majority of the major dams are now full and spilling.
The 2016/2017 La Nina-induced rainfall season is in contradistinction to the 2015/2016 season characterised by the El Nino-induced drought phenomenon; soils are soaked and any amounts of rainfall are causing floods.
The rains are expected to continue until April 2017.
The Southern African Development Community Climate Centre rainfall outlook for February, March and April indicate that there is a high likelihood of above-normal rainfall over Zimbabwe, most of Botswana, south of Mozambique and South Africa.
Last month, in Zimbabwe, the southern parts of the country (mainly Masvingo, southern Midlands and the Matabeleland Provinces) were hit by cyclone Dineo, after which followed uncharacteristic widespread heavy rains.
This caused severe flooding and destruction to crops, livestock, property, infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams etc.), worsening the preceding damage from the persistent rains that had been received across the country.
In declaring a state of disaster, government noted that the heavy rains had left a trail of destruction and continued to destroy livelihoods.
“The 2016/17 rainfall season has ushered in a trail of destruction in the following provinces: Matabeleland North (Tsholotsho, Lupane, Nkayi, Binga, Umguza and Hwange urban. Matabeleland South, (Matobo, Umzingwane, Bulilima, Insiza, Beitbridge and Gwanda). Midlands (Gokwe North, Gokwe South and Mberengwa). Masvingo (Chivi, Mwenezi, Chiredzi, Masvingo and Bikita). Mashonaland West (Kariba, Zvimba and Hurungwe. Manicaland (Mutare rural, Mutasa, Buhera, Chipinge and Chimanimani). Mashonaland Central (Guruve and Mt. Darwin) and Chitungwiza, Mabvuku, Epworth, Waterfalls, Hopley and Budiriro in Harare Metropolitan Province.
“The worst affected district is Tsholotsho where a total of 859 people were left homeless and are currently in a transit camp and an additional 100 households are at risk,” Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
The affected population in communal, resettlement and urban areas are in dire need of assistance to rebuild their homes, rehabilitation of social institutions as well as recover lost property and livelihoods.
“The impact of the wet season including the effects of the tropical depression caused by Cyclone Dineo exacerbated the situation as this has left more than 1 985 people homeless. About 246 human lives were lost due to drowning and lightning strikes. More than 128 people were injured and approximately 2 579 homesteads were damaged. There was extensive damage to about 74 schools, five health institutions, about 70 small and medium dams have breached and extensive damage to road infrastructure.”
The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing reported last week that approximately 70 small and medium dams in the country had breached.
“To date, there have been heavy falls that have surpassed all previous years, for instance, Rupike which is 70 kilometres away from Masvingo received 224 millimetres, Bikita District received 200 millimetres and Zaka received 196 millimetres and these are the highest figures recorded within 24 hours,” Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said.
According to the Civil Protection Unit, (CPU), people living in mountainous areas are at risk of landslides.
“A landslide can occur with or without warning. Where there is a warning, people may hear faint rumbling, maybe hear trees cracking or boulders knocking together or see gradual mud flows. When this happens, people must immediately vacate their homesteads,” the CPU said.
The cumulative rainfall for more than half of the country was 125-200 percent above normal levels. The good seasonal rainfall has improvedwater availability for human, cropping livestock
However, the heavy rainfall has also contributed to soil erosion, crop damage, waterlogging, and leaching in most areas.
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