Flash flood hit Victoria fall in Zimbabwe, ravages properties

By Bisola Adeyemo

Residents in Victoria falls in Zimbabwe have called on governments for a permanent solution to avert more disasters that could cause floods.

It was reported that incessant rains started on Friday morning until late afternoon, which later resumed on Saturday morning until evening.

The incessant rains pounded the city since Friday, destroying huge number of properties as well as rendered many families homeless.

According to Heralds, some roads especially near Truck Stop and small bridges were damaged.

Some houses were filled up with water levels rose to above knee level resulting in pre-cast walls falling especially those without weep holes.

Some water pipes were also left exposed due to massive soil erosion.

Most roads in Mkhosana were impassable as they were flooded resulting in water flowing into yards.

Poor drainage has been blamed for worsening the situation as most parts of the city have no storm drains while the available ones are too shallow to contain massive run-off.

Residents could also be to blame judging by the amount of litter such as plastic bottles, plastic paper, and other garbage that was washed down by run-off.

One of the affected residents, Mr Lizwe Moyo said water had risen close to two metres against the pre-cast wall in his yard before it gave in.

“The challenge in our area is that the drainage is too small and when it rains heavily water flows into yards. Water was almost reaching the top of the pre-cast concrete wall when it fell. My neighbours were also affected and some had to drill through walls of the houses to allow water to drain as it flooded inside,” he said.

“I don’t think I will be left with anything because everything was soaked in water. We spent the whole of Saturday scooping water using buckets but we couldn’t finish it as it kept raining. We wish there could be a solution to this because there could be disaster in future if this poor drainage issue is not addressed,” she said. Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Somveli Dlamini visited the affected areas to assess the extent of disaster.

“The worst affected areas are in wards eight, 10 and 11 where some residents lost pre-cast concrete wall and some roads were washed away. Fortunately, enough service delivery like water provision and electricity were not affected. The council will sit and work out a solution but a long-term solution is construction of storm drain,” another resident anonymously said.