Source: Zim faces heightened floods risk -Newsday Zimbabwe
THE Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net) has warned that saturated ground from recent rains could lead to dangerous water accumulation and flooding, with torrential downpours forecast for the country next week.
According to Fews Net’s latest weather outlook released yesterday, a severe weather system is expected to bring intense and persistent downpours next week, further increasing the risk of flooding in affected regions.
“Next week, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue across eastern, northern, and central parts of southern Africa, while western and southern areas are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall,” the report read.
“Torrential rainfall is likely in southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, eastern South Africa, and east-central Madagascar, increasing the risks of flooding in several areas of the region.”
It added: “The continuation of rainfall over recent consecutive weeks has worsened ground conditions and led to flooding in multiple countries, including Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique.
“Flooding is expected to persist in the coming weeks, potentially exacerbating conditions in already affected regions.”
Over the past week, moderate to heavy rainfall persisted across northern and eastern southern Africa, including Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe and eastern South Africa.
Torrential rainfall was recorded in southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, parts of eastern South Africa and several areas across Malawi and Zambia.
Fews Net reported that south-central Africa, which includes Zimbabwe, has experienced significantly wetter-than-average conditions, receiving 120% to over 200% of normal rainfall in many areas.
“Over the past 90 days, eastern and central southern Africa have generally experienced wetter-than-average conditions, receiving 120%-200% of their normal rainfall,” Fews Net noted.
“This indicates a favourable seasonal rainfall performance to date. In contrast, western and southern areas, including Angola, western Namibia, western and southwestern South Africa, and southern Madagascar, have experienced below-average rainfall, ranging from 1%-80% of normal.”
Early this week, the Department of Civil Protection reported that heavy rains during the 2025-26 season have claimed 70 lives, injured 51 people, and destroyed more than 1 000 homesteads in the country so far.
Manicaland province has been the worst affected, with 510 households impacted, followed by Mashonaland East (192), Mashonaland Central (130) and Mashonaland West (127).
The department noted that Manicaland also recorded the highest death toll, with 41 fatalities and 31 injuries, while Mashonaland West reported 19 deaths.
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