Bulawayo councillors have urged the city council to strengthen its disaster preparedness, improve drainage systems and enhance early warning communication as the country braces for the rainy season.
The call follows severe flooding in Masvingo on 5 October 2026, which damaged homes and infrastructure and prompted the government to declare a state of national disaster and appeal for assistance.
Speaking at a recent Full Council meeting, proportional representation councillor Lezina Mohammed said the floods highlighted the need for local authorities to prepare for extreme weather events before they occur.
“Your Worship, the people of Masvingo suffered from storms. This reminds us of the need to strengthen our preparedness before major weather events occur, rather than only mobilising after damage has been done,” Mohammed said.
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She called for a comprehensive city disaster preparedness plan, stronger early warning systems and public awareness programmes to help residents respond to emergencies.
“My submission is not just about responding to disasters when they occur, but about preparedness, prevention and a coordinated response.
“I also propose that we develop a comprehensive city disaster preparedness plan, strengthen early warning communication systems and introduce public awareness programmes so that residents know what to do and where to seek assistance. Lastly, council should review the capacity of our drainage systems.”
The concerns come as Zimbabwe prepares for the 2026/27 rainy season amid an El Niño outlook.
El Niño, a warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, can influence rainfall patterns in southern Africa. In Zimbabwe, it is associated with an increased risk of below-normal rainfall, drought and water shortages.
However, the risk of drought does not rule out intense storms and localised flooding. The need for effective drainage, early warnings and emergency response therefore remains important even when seasonal rainfall is expected to be below average.
Ward 10 councillor Khalazani Ndlovu said some storm drains had not been cleaned for months, raising concerns about the city’s readiness for heavy rainfall.
“Your Worship, in some wards, the storm drains were cleaned in February. Now we are in October. In some areas, there has been an accumulation of dirt, and if we get heavy rains, we may be found wanting,” she said.
Ndlovu urged the council to clean storm drains regularly and assess its preparedness to protect residents during the rainy season.
“As a city, we need to clean these regularly so that when the rains come, we are safe. We need to regularly assess our level of preparedness to ensure the safety of our residents.”
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