Story by Tafara Chikumira
GOVERNMENT has allocated ZiG$2.4 million towards the rehabilitation of road infrastructure damaged by recent floods in Midlands Province, as authorities continue efforts to restore access and safety to affected communities.
Persistent heavy rains during the current rainy season have caused widespread destruction, particularly in Mberengwa District, where residents faced isolation and, in some cases, went missing, prompting rapid response from the Civil Protection Unit.
“We have reports of 20 people marooned, 19 of whom were safely rescued. In Muchingwe, Gokwe, 16 individuals were affected. In Gokwe South, one person was rescued while another is still missing. At Gweru River, two people were marooned and successfully rescued. In total, 24 bridges were swept away, along with four dams,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Honourable Owen Ncube.
Minister Ncube said government engineers, alongside the army, have been deployed to assess and repair the destroyed infrastructure.
“We have already advanced ZiG$2.4 million towards the rehabilitation works. While we continue to operate during the rainy season, I urge communities to avoid crossing flooded rivers for their safety,” he added.
The current interventions follow government efforts to strengthen flood response capacity, including equipping the Sub-Aqua Unit with specialised equipment and deploying the Air Force of Zimbabwe alongside the Civil Protection Unit to assist in emergency operations.
Government officials emphasised that the allocation is part of a broader disaster management strategy aimed at restoring essential infrastructure, safeguarding lives, and enhancing community resilience amid the ongoing rainy season.
