The flooding Mtshabezi River has wreaked havoc in Gwanda, damaging infrastructure and crippling the town’s water supply.
Authorities in Matabeleland South province expressed concern yesterday that a breached dam could affect Mtshabezi Mission, home to a major hospital and Mtshabezi High School, a boarding school.
Speaking to Southern Eye, Gwanda mayor Thulani Moyo said he was alerted on Sunday to the rapidly rising river and rushed to assess the situation.
He said the footbridge across the river was swinging dangerously due to floodwaters, adding that many people were attempting to cross on their way to town.
“When I arrived, the water level was already reaching the footbridge flyover,” Moyo said.
He said authorities quickly deployed police to monitor the area.
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At the town’s water treatment plant, three pumps were submerged, forcing a halt in water supply operations.
Two families, totalling seven people, who were marooned near council houses close to the plant, were rescued.
“Water was almost reaching window level for the houses near the water plant, but we managed to rescue the families and took them to the police for assistance,” Moyo said.
He said the Department of Civil Protection was activated through the District Civil Protection Committee and emergency teams worked with the municipality and other authorities to respond to the situation while monitoring the river.
“Unfortunately, we cannot switch on the pumps because they are submerged in water and the electric motors must first be checked and dried before they can operate again,” Moyo said.
The flooding has created a major water crisis, prompting authorities to appeal to residents with boreholes to allow public access.
Officials also plan to seek assistance from Blanket Mine to repair the electric motors.
Beyond water supply, Moyo warned the floods can disrupt hospital services, schools and daily travel between mining areas and the town.
Reports also indicate that people are trapped on islands along Tule River, including Karanyemba and Choboi, though they are safe, adding that rescue efforts were continuing.
“This flooding is historic because we have never seen Mtshabezi River rise to such levels before and some infrastructure, including a nearby lodge, was also affected by the floodwaters,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority clarified that the larger Mtshabezi Dam remains safe, despite social media
claims.
It confirmed that only the Mtshabezi High School Dam breached and urged the public not to spread false information.