At least 118 people died, while 61 others were injured, following the heavy rains that struck Zimbabwe since the beginning of the rainy season, the country’s Department of Civil Protection said Tuesday.
In its latest report, the department said that an additional 9 people died over the past week, raising the death toll from 109 to 118, noting that most of last week’s fatalities were caused by drowning and mine collapses triggered by heavy rains.
The rains have affected over 8,295 households and damaged 334 houses, 236 schools, 15 healthcare facilities, and 21 bridges across the country, while at least 12 cases of stranded people were recorded.
The department stressed that main highways and roads in both urban and rural areas have been heavily damaged, with some being inaccessible and in need of repairs.
Zimbabwe’s rainy season usually runs from October to March, resulting in heavy rainfall and occasional storms.
