74 People Killed Since Start of Rainy Season In Zimbabwe, US$107K Infrastructure Damaged

Zimbabwe’s Rain Disaster: A Province-By-Province Explainer Of The 74 Deaths

Zimbabwe is reeling from a devastating rainy season that has claimed 74 lives since October last year. With infrastructure damage exceeding US$107,402 (approx. R2 million), the impact is severe but unevenly spread across the country. This explainer breaks down exactly how each province has been affected, answering key questions about where the tragedy has hit hardest and why.

Which Provinces Have The Highest Fatalities And Injuries?

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) data reveals a stark concentration of casualties in the eastern and northern parts of the country. Understanding the provincial breakdown is crucial to seeing the full picture.

Most Severe Impact:

• Manicaland: This eastern province is the worst affected, accounting for nearly half of all national fatalities. The CPU confirms 32 deaths and 41 injuries here. Many incidents are linked to rivers bursting their banks in districts like Makoni.

• Mashonaland West: The second-highest toll is here, with 19 lives lost and 2 people injured.

• Midlands: This central province has recorded 13 fatalities and 1 injury.

Moderate to Lower Impact:

• Mashonaland Central & Matabeleland South: Each has reported 3 deaths.

• Mashonaland East: Has recorded 2 deaths and 2 injuries.

• Matabeleland North & Bulawayo Metropolitan: Each has recorded 1 death.

• Harare Metropolitan: While recording only 1 fatality, it has 3 recorded injuries.

The CPU summarised the toll, stating:

“Manicaland has the highest number of fatalities, with 32 deaths, followed by Mashonaland West with 19 and Midlands with 13.”

What Types Of Incidents Occurred In Each Area?

The disasters are not uniform; different provinces faced different threats from the weather.

Flash Flooding & River Incidents:
This has been the deadliest hazard, primarily in Manicaland and the north. In Makoni District, Manicaland, on January 13, 2026, three children were swept away by the flooded Rusape River. In Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central, a mother and her two children were marooned in the Ruya River on the same date.

Lightning Strikes:
This sudden danger has struck in the south. In Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, a lightning bolt on January 8, 2026, killed one person and injured four others.

Destructive Winds & Structural Damage:
Severe windstorms have caused significant infrastructure damage inland. In Gweru District, Midlands, winds wreaked havoc at Shagari Primary School, damaging multiple classrooms.

Dam Breaches & Secondary Crises:
Infrastructure failure and knock-on effects are a major issue in Masvingo and Mashonaland East. In Zaka District, Masvingo, two dams breached on January 12, 2026, destroying bridges and fields. In Seke District, Mashonaland East, rising dam levels led to three hippos threatening communities, cutting off travel routes.

What Is The Scale Of Infrastructure Damage?

Beyond the tragic loss of life, the storms have crippled essential services nationwide. The CPU reports damage to 41 schools, 5 health institutions, and 4 bridges. The most acute sanitation crisis is in Bikita District, Masvingo, where rains on December 30, 2025, destroyed toilets at a primary school.

The CPU detailed:

“Leaving 105 girls without proper sanitation facilities. The structural integrity of 12 other toilets is now at risk of collapse.”

With more rain forecast, the Meteorological Services Department’s James Ngoma warned last Thursday:

“We should get a bit of flooding in some areas, but it is localised and short-lived.”

This suggests that while the intense rainfall may be sporadic, the risk to already-saturated provinces remains.