ON March 14, 2019, Cyclone Idai made landfall near Beira city in Mozambique.
Its heavy rains and powerful winds unleashed flash floods that swept away homes, crops and lives.
Less than six weeks later, Cyclone Kenneth tore through northern Mozambique, about 960km north of Idai’s impact zone.
Together, these two storms ranked among the five worst ever to hit Mozambique.
The devastation was immense.
Close to 2,2 million people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi were affected.
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Around 300 were confirmed dead, while scores remain missing — estimates placing the figure at over 360.
Even today, scars from those storms remain fresh in the memories of survivors.
What was most damning is how unprepared we were.
Both citizens and government were caught flatfooted when Idai struck.
Relief efforts were slow, co-ordination poor and lack of contingency planning cost lives that could have been saved.
The tragedy of Idai was not only the storm itself, but the fact that authorities were caught flatfooted, scrambling for donations and leaving communities to fend for themselves.
Fast forward to the present. After a disastrous 2023/24 rainy season brought on by El Niño, Zimbabwe enjoyed improved rains last season.
Forecasts now project not only more rainfall in 2025/26, but also the looming threat of tropical cyclones.
Authorities cannot determine their exact intensity or path, but the threat is real.
This time, government has no excuse. There is ample time to prepare.
But the question remains: will government act or will it once again fold its arms until disaster strikes?
If it is to act, that means structures must be put in place now, not when disaster is already upon us.
That means:
Strengthening early-warning systems: Upgrade weather monitoring equipment, improve communication channels and ensure alerts actually reach rural villages in real time.
Designating evacuation routes and shelters: Safe zones must be mapped, accessible and known to every household in cyclone-prone areas.
Pre-positioning relief supplies: Food, clean water, medicines, blankets and tents should be stockpiled at depots in Manicaland, Masvingo and other vulnerable provinces.
Community drills and education: Villagers, schools and local leaders should be trained through simulation exercises so that they know exactly what to do when alerts are issued.
Local disaster committees: Ward-level committees must be empowered with resources and authority to mobilise quickly when cyclones hit.
Regional co-operation: Zimbabwe should work hand-in-hand with Mozambique, Malawi and Sadc structures to share data, expertise and resources. Cyclones do not respect borders.
The Department of Social Welfare, within the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry, should be leading the charge.
Disaster preparedness is not a seasonal slogan — it is a life-saving responsibility.
Co-ordination must cut across ministries, local governments, non-governmental organisations and community leaders.
Cyclones Idai and Kenneth taught us bitter lessons.
If we ignore them, the cost will once again be paid in lives, livelihoods and national dignity.
Zimbabwe cannot afford another moment of unpreparedness.
There is no excuse this time. Authorities have the benefit of time and lessons from Idai. If they fail again, it will not be a mistake — it will be negligence.
Preparedness must go beyond speeches and empty promises.
Disaster preparedness should be taken seriously and not wait until body bags pile up.
Lest obviously after that crocodile tears come, the mass funerals, the promises — until the next disaster strikes.
Let us be clear: Zimbabwe has no shortage of knowledge. The science is there.
The memories of Idai are fresh. What could be missing is political will.
What was thrown out of the window was leadership that prioritises lives over slogans.
Preparedness is not rocket science.
It means stocking food, tents, blankets and medicine in at-risk provinces like Manicaland.
It means training and resourcing local disaster committees, mapping evacuation routes and building shelters.
It means acting now, not after the storm.
If another Idai-level cyclone strikes Zimbabwe tomorrow, loss of life will not be an unavoidable act of God.
It will be the direct result of government’s refusal to act when the warnings were clear.
History will not forgive silence.
Now is the time to act.