The
figures
highlight
the
ongoing
flood
risk
in
the
city
as
heavy
rains
continue
to
disrupt
homes,
roads,
and
schools.
On
19
January
alone,
the
Brigade
attended
six
flood-related
cases,
most
caused
by
poorly
maintained
drainage
systems
clogged
with
diapers,
bottles,
and
clothes.
The
situation
was
more
prominent
in
Njube
suburb
where
residents
say
floodwaters
are
rising
as
drainage
outside
their
homes
has
been
neglected
for
years.
Despite
repeated
complaints
to
the
Bulawayo
City
Council
(BCC),
the
drains
remain
blocked,
leaving
families
trapped
during
heavy
rainfall.
In
an
interview
with
CITE,
one
resident,
who
asked
not
to
be
named,
said
she
first
reported
the
problem
to
the
BCC
WhatsApp
line
on
11
December
2025.
“I
even
sent
a
reminder
later,
but
no
one
has
come
to
fix
the
drainage.
Every
time
it
rains,
water
flows
straight
into
my
house.
We
feel
ignored.
Council
staff
sometimes
come
to
check
the
drains,
but
they
only
fix
a
little
and
leave
most
of
the
problem,”
she
said.
Another
neighbour
expressed
frustration
at
the
council’s
slow
response.
“Some
people
come
from
the
council,
clear
a
little
rubbish,
and
leave.
The
main
problem
remains,
and
after
a
few
days,
it
is
back
to
the
same
situation.
We
don’t
understand
why
the
BCC
cannot
provide
a
permanent
solution,”
the
resident
said.
A
third
resident
added
that
flooding
brings
more
than
water,
it
carries
dirt,
foul
smells,
and
even
raw
sewage
into
homes.
“We
have
been
reporting
this
for
years,
but
nothing
meaningful
has
been
done.
Every
time
there
are
heavy
rains,
the
same
situation
occurs,”
the
resident
said.
Chief
Fire
Officer
Mhlangano
Moyo,
who
oversees
flood
response
in
Bulawayo,
confirmed
the
Brigade
attended
six
flood-related
cases
in
recent
days,
most
linked
to
blocked
drains.
“On
19
January
2026,
the
Brigade
attended
six
flood-related
cases,
most
caused
by
poor
drainage
blocked
with
pampers,
bottles,
and
clothes,”
Moyo
said.
He
urged
residents
not
to
dispose
of
waste
in
drains.
“People
should
never
put
pampers,
bottles,
or
clothes
into
drainage
systems.
These
items
block
water
flow
and
make
floods
worse,”
he
added.