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Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Raymond Jaravaza, Chronicle Writers

HEAVY rains pounding various parts of the country have prompted the Bulawayo Fire Brigade to deploy emergency teams in several suburbs where streams and rivers pose significant risks to schoolchildren and residents.

The city has received substantial rainfall over the past few days, overwhelming emergency services as distress calls flood in from residents stranded by rising water levels in rivers and streams.

On Tuesday, flash floods in the city’s western suburbs claimed the life of a three-year-old boy, Sibusiso Methembe Moyo, who was swept away near a storm drain.

The toddler was in the company of his older brother when the tragedy occurred. His body was discovered yesterday along the banks of a small stream.

Uncontrolled dumping of waste and streambank cultivation have been identified as major contributors to the flooding that hit parts of the city’s western suburbs following torrential rains lasting over eight hours. Bulawayo’s chief fire officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo, said the Fire Brigade had been inundated with calls from concerned residents, particularly those worried about schoolchildren at risk of drowning in flooded waterways. In response, emergency teams were deployed to key flood-prone areas.

“The city recorded significant rainfall on Tuesday, and we made a proactive decision to deploy teams to problematic streams and rivers that have, in the past, claimed lives when flooded,” he said.

pedestrians and a motorists cross the flooded Phekiwe stream in Nkulumane suburb yesterday

Mr Moyo said one such team was stationed in Pumula South, in the Makoni area, where a stream separates a school from nearby homes. Many schoolchildren are forced to cross the stream daily, exposing them to danger when water levels rise.

A Chronicle news crew yesterday observed schoolchildren crossing a low-lying bridge along a stream in Pumula South. In one instance, an older boy carried a younger schoolmate on his back while rainwater surged around them.

“Residents underestimate that stream but it is dangerous when flooded and the Fire Brigade is appealing to parents and guardians to pick up their children from school during the rainy season,” said Mr Moyo.

Another team was deployed at a low-lying bridge along Phekiwe River on Tuesday afternoon after heavy downpours left the area submerged. Many primary schoolchildren from Rangemore suburb cross this bridge daily to attend school in nearby Nkulumane.

“Phekiwe River divides parts of Nkulumane 12 and Upper Rangemore.
\It is one of the most flood-prone areas where we deployed emergency personnel. Our firefighters assisted schoolchildren in crossing safely after heavy rains pounded the area,” said Mr Moyo.

He advised residents to seek shelter at designated safe points, including Nkulumane 12 Clinic, Mgombane Primary School, Nkulumane Police Station, and Mandwandwe High School, whenever the Phekiwe River Bridge is flooded.
“It’s important for the Fire Brigade to stay pro-active and deploy teams to problematic streams and rivers which pose a risk to residents, especially school kids,” said Mr Moyo.

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said it recorded 54,5 millimetres of rain at its Luveve station, 30mm at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and 28 millimetres at Khumalo and Suburbs stations.
Elsewhere, Maholi in Masvingo Province recorded the highest rainfall at 80mm, followed by Zvishavane (64mm) and Wedza in Mashonaland East (63mm). Plumtree and Matopo recorded 39mm and 37mm, respectively.

Mr Moyo expressed concern over littering and poor waste management, which exacerbate flooding.
“The city council has consistently cleared storm drains and maintained a regular refuse collection programme. However, some residents continue to dump waste illegally, which clogs drainage systems and worsens flooding,” he said.

“The rains were incessant for the better part of the day on Tuesday and the amount was certainly not the same throughout the city as some areas received less while others like the western areas had higher amounts.”
In Entumbane, some residents faced home flooding, worsened by their refusal to open weeping holes in perimeter walls, in defiance of council by-laws.

“The storm drains are functional, but the sheer volume of rainwater overwhelmed them. In the tragic case of the drowned child, the water’s force swept him through a storm drain opening towards a larger stream,” said Mr Moyo.

In Matabeleland North and South provinces, no rain-induced damage to property or loss of life has been reported since the resumption of heavy rains over the weekend. However, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) remains on high alert.
Acting Director for Local Government in Matabeleland North, Mr Tapiwa Zivoivoi, confirmed that as of yesterday, no distress calls had been received from District Development Coordinators (DDCs) across the province’s seven districts.

“Since the rains resumed on Sunday, I have yet to get any distress reports from our DDCs throughout the seven districts in the province. However, all our disaster teams from district levels are on high alert,” he said.

Matabeleland North has historically suffered severe flooding, particularly in Tsholotsho District. Notable flood events occurred in 1978, 2001, 2013, and 2017, leading to mass evacuations and resettlements at Sipepa Rural Health Centre and Tshino area.
Similarly, the acting Director for Local Government in Matabeleland South, Mr Zacharia Jusa, confirmed that no reports of infrastructure damage or casualties had been received since the rains began.

“As of now, we have no recorded cases of damage or loss of life. However, we are continuously monitoring the situation and updating our records,” he said.

Flash floods are caused by a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, saturated soil, and impermeable surfaces. Specific contributors include heavy rainfall which can overwhelm the ground’s absorption capacity, causing rapid runoff, and saturated soil and when soil is already soaked, additional rainwater flows over the surface, leading to floods.

Due to urbanisation, paved surfaces and buildings reduce water absorption, increasing runoff while in terms of topography, steep slopes and low-lying areas are more prone to flash flooding.

Dam or levee failures, which is the sudden release of large water volumes from breached dams can trigger flash floods. Burn Scars which are areas recently affected by wildfires absorb less water, increasing flood risks.
Meanwhile, Sibusiso Methembe Moyo’s family is appealing for assistance from well-wishers to raise money towards the boy’s funeral costs.

“We would appreciate any form of assistance from food for the mourners and funds to bury my nephew. My sister is struggling financially and cannot afford to give her son a decent burial,” said Ms Sibangani Sibanda, the deceased’s aunt
Mourners are gathered at house number 70206 New Lobengula. The family can be reach on 0775172440 or 0773327976.