The Hwange Local Board (HLB) says it is intensifying efforts to prevent flooding and protect residents’ lives and property following recent flash floods that affected several households after heavy rains in the area.
HLB corporate communications officer Dumisani Nsingo said the local authority remains on high alert to respond to flooding incidents within its jurisdiction, particularly during the rainy season.
This follows a recent flooding incident in Empumalanga Phase 4, where torrential rains triggered flash floods that affected four houses.
“The flash floods in Phase 4 caught us unaware, although we remain on high alert and continuously monitor for such incidents during the rainy season. The challenge with our terrain is that it is uneven, and during periods of heavy rainfall some areas that have not previously experienced flooding may become vulnerable,” Nsingo said.
The recent floods also affected Lwendulu and Sendrella villages located within the Hwange Colliery Company Limited concession area, where several properties were impacted.
Nsingo said the local authority has over the years implemented several measures to address flooding challenges, particularly in Empumalanga and parts of Chibondo medium-density suburb.
Through funding from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and the council’s own resources, the local authority has constructed stormwater drainage systems in residential areas that are prone to flooding.
He said the interventions have helped mitigate the problem in some areas.
One of the major successes, according to Nsingo, was the resolution of persistent flooding in eMaBhananeni in Empumalanga, where more than 10 households had been affected by flooding for over three decades.
“Prior to the onset of last year’s rainy season, we constructed and lined several stormwater drainages that pass through residential areas after realising that they were at times the cause of flash floods. We also cleared all culverts to ensure the uninterrupted flow of water,” Nsingo said.
The council has also urged property owners to ensure that weep holes in boundary walls remain open and functional to allow stormwater to drain naturally and prevent water accumulation on properties.
Nsingo said the local authority’s engineering department continues to monitor areas prone to flooding and is working to address the challenges.
“The Engineering Department is working around the clock to address flooding challenges. It is an ongoing process, as there are still a few households that may be prone to flooding. We are also monitoring developments by other land developers in our area to ensure that their activities do not result in flooding in residential areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the council has appealed to residents to avoid dumping garbage into stormwater drains and watercourses, warning that such practices lead to blocked culverts and trenches, which increase the risk of flooding.
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