Zim devastated by floods, 200 Hwange miners trapped underground as heavy rains fall

Some families from low-lying areas of Hwange had to be evacuated following heavy rains and flooding in the mining town.

Some roads are said to be inaccessible following heavy rains in the area.

Disaster was looming as of yesterday following reports that nearly 200 miners were trapped underground while equipment worth thousands of dollars was damaged at Makomo Resources coal mine following heavy floods that hit Hwange district yesterday.

Twenty one families and inmates at an Old People’s Home had to be evacuated to safety as floods raged through settlements that include the Hwange Colliery Company (HCCL) concession, Lwendulu village’s F-section and Cinderella.

Makomo Resources general manager Mr Samson Mabvira confirmed the flooding of the mine area but refused to speak about the situation of people trapped underground

“I’m not on the ground right now so I don’t have much information,” he said.

Most road networks connecting the residential areas were flooded with most businesses failing to open on time as employees failed to get to work due to the heavy rains which only stopped at around 9AM.

Traffic along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway was also brought to a halt for about two hours as the Hwange Colliery Company’s fire brigade and some locals battled to remove some trees that fell onto the busy road as a result of the storm.

Colliery areas that were affected by the flooding include Lwendulu, Makwika and Cinderella villages.

The Roman Catholic Church has since provided shelter to some of the affected families.

According to residents the floods were triggered by clogged storm drains as they have not been cleared for a long time.

“The flooding is as a result of these storm drains that have not been cleared for a long time,” said a resident who declined to be named.

There are confirmed reports of flooded houses and destroyed properties in Hwange town.

Zimbabweans have been warned by the met department to brace for more heavy rains through the country.