Floods in Zimbabwe

Heavy rain in Zimbabwe has caused flash floods across the country since mid-January. Thousands of people have been evacuated and further flooding is expected over the next few days.

One of the worst affected areas is Masvingo Province where 4000 people were considered at risk. The government has begun evacuating them and using helicopters to retrieve people stranded by flooding. The flooding has also caused mudslides in the province which killed one person. Within Masvingo Province, the districts of Masvingo, Chivi and Mwenezi are at risk from the Tokwe-Mukorsi Damn as the rain has raised the water level.

The amount of rain is unusual for this area, at almost double the normal level. Low-lying areas are considered particularly at risk from flooding at this time.