Zimbabwe Flood Death Toll Rises to 134 as Rains Batter Communities

Flooded bridge in Zimbabwe

At least 134 people have died since the start of Zimbabwe’s 2025/26 rainy season, according to the latest report from the Department of Civil Protection, as flooding continues to wreak havoc across the country.

The report also recorded 56 cases of people being marooned, while 237 schools have been damaged by heavy rains and rising water levels.

“The rising levels in water bodies and flooding of rivers have prompted cases of marooning, people being swept away, huts collapsing, and communities cut off from essential services,” the department said.

Infrastructure has been severely affected, compounding challenges for already vulnerable communities. On Sunday, traffic was halted for nearly an hour at Shangani Bridge along the Gweru–Bulawayo Highway after floodwaters submerged the crossing.

Gweru District Development Coordinator Tarisai Mudadigwa said the flooding was unprecedented for the area, noting that more than 170mm of rain fell within just nine hours. The crisis has also disrupted school activities. A group of primary school pupils on a weekend trip to a nearby wildlife sanctuary were forced to extend their stay after roads became impassable due to flooded streams.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority has since issued warnings over dam spillages and controlled water releases at major reservoirs, including Tugwi-Mukosi, Mutirikwi, and Manjirenji, raising further flood risks downstream. Several rescue operations have been carried out in recent days. In Zvishavane District, 16 gold panners were stranded in the Muchingwe River on March 15 but were successfully rescued. In Chiredzi District, four men were also rescued after attempting to cross the flooded Runde River.

However, some incidents have ended in tragedy. In Muzarabani, twin siblings attending early childhood classes at Utete Primary School drowned on March 9 while trying to cross a flooded stream. On March 16, two men were swept away while crossing the Munyati River in Gokwe using a makeshift boat. One was rescued, while the other remains missing.

Authorities say civil protection mechanisms have been activated at all levels, from national to village structures, to coordinate response efforts. The government says funds have been released to support disaster response operations, with humanitarian assistance including food and essential supplies being distributed to affected households. With more rain expected, officials are urging communities to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to heed safety warnings as the risk of further incidents remains high.

Zimbabwe floods 2026; death toll floods Zimbabwe