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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]

BULAWAYO experienced flash floods on Tuesday following heavy rains, with tragic consequences as a toddler drowned after being swept away by strong water currents.
Several homes were also inundated, raising concerns about drainage issues in some suburbs.
According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Bulawayo recorded 30 millimetres of rainfall at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and 28 millimetres at the Khumalo Suburb station. MSD head of forecasting, Mr James Ngoma, said they were still collecting data from other monitoring stations but expressed surprise at the extent of the flooding
“We are still getting statistics from other stations but the rains were insignificant to have caused such flooding in suburbs like Pumula,” said Mr Ngoma.
The floods left a family in New Lobengula devastated after their young child was swept away by the torrents. The child’s lifeless body was discovered a few metres away along Luveve Road, near Josiah Chinamano Primary School.
In Entumbane, some residents faced the distressing sight of water flooding their homes. Authorities expressed concern that some residents were refusing to open weeping holes in their perimeter walls, defying council by-laws designed to facilitate better drainage.
Meanwhile, a heavy downpour near Nyamande Primary School in Old Lobengula resulted in severe flooding on the road connecting to Njube suburb. The rising waters caused mechanical failures in several vehicles, leaving some motorists stranded in the waterlogged streets.
Flash floods occur due to a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, saturated soil, and urban infrastructure that limits water absorption. Some of the key contributors to such flooding include:
• Heavy Rainfall: Intense rains overwhelm the ground’s ability to absorb water, leading to rapid runoff and localised flooding.
• Saturated Soil: When the soil is already waterlogged, additional rainfall cannot be absorbed, increasing surface runoff.
• Impermeable Surfaces: Urban areas with extensive paved roads and buildings reduce natural water absorption, worsening flood risks.
• Topography: Low-lying areas and steep slopes accelerate water flow and accumulation in certain locations.
• Poor Drainage Systems: Blocked or inadequate drainage can lead to standing water and increased flood damage.
• Environmental Factors: Areas affected by wildfires or deforestation become more prone to flash flooding due to reduced vegetation that would typically help absorb rainwater.