Wetland settlers hit by floods
Water floods Gweru and Harare houses in wetlands. Families in Budiriro, Harare are failing to cross streams and their properties affected by flooding.
In Gweru, areas like Nashville, Ascot extension, Riverside, Woodlands and Tinshel lie on wetlands and any excess downpour floods the areas.
Over the past few days in Chivi, Chiredzi and Gweru infrastructure has been swept away and people marooned. This is due to the heavy rainfall. On Sunday a Toyota Hilux double cab was swept away by Gweru River along Matobo road.
Wetland settlers hit by floods
Most residents staying in the affected areas of Gweru and Harare admit to settling on wetlands without adequate knowledge of the consequences. Settling on wetlands negatively affects the ecosystem. This deters biodiversity and at large contribute to water problems. Most suburbs in Gweru and Harare suffer water shortages and sewer drainage problems. Development on wetlands play a role in alleviating the problems.
These problems associated with developing on wetlands leaves one wondering about the competency of our Planners, Engineers and Land Barons.