Mnangagwa declares Masvingo hailstorm State of Disaster — 8,500 households had their roofs blown-off

President Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster for areas that were affected by the catastrophic and severe hailstorm that struck Masvingo Province on Monday, damaging more than 17 000 households, inflicting structural damage to critical public utilities, including education and health facilities.

In a statement last night, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the declaration was made in accordance with Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06).

“Following the catastrophic and severe hailstorm that struck Masvingo Province on the evening of Monday, 5 October 2026, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Mnangagwa, has declared a State of Disaster within the affected areas.

“The extreme weather experienced inflicted extensive structural damage across residential areas, critical public utilities, education and health institutions, and commercial establishments, necessitating immediate interventions to safeguard lives and support recovery,” said Minister Garwe.

According to preliminary reports, approximately 8 500 households had their roofs completely blown off. Out of 17 000 households assessed, approximately 90 percent sustained shattered windowpanes, leaving families exposed to the weather elements at the very onset of the rainy season.

“Severe disruptions have been recorded across major administrative and educational institutions.

Key facilities severely hit include the Great Zimbabwe University (Mucheke Campus), Masvingo Polytechnic, Masvingo Teachers College, Maud Muzenda Training Centre, the Passport Office, the Grain Marketing Board, Chiefs Hall, the Veterinary Office, the District Development Coordinator’s Office, the ZIMRE Building, Masvingo Urban VTC, Runyararo Clinic Maternity Ward, Rujeko Hall, 4.1 Brigade, Masvingo Airport, and the ZEC Provincial Office.

“Business operations in Masvingo City have been heavily disrupted as major retail and hospitality facilities sustained significant roof compromises, resulting in severe water leaks and asset damage.

Electricity infrastructure has suffered a major blow, with Zesa power lines extensively damaged across the province. Widespread power outages have concurrently affected water pumping supply systems, municipal drainage infrastructure, and sewer networks, presenting an immediate public health risk that the Government is moving swiftly to contain.In view of this crisis, and to facilitate rapid, relief operations, I have called for all Government agencies to join hands in assisting the affected communities. While the State is deploying all available resources, we make an urgent appeal to the private sector and partners to join hands with the Government,” said Minister Garwe.

Residents in the ancient city yesterday continued counting their losses following Monday night’s storm, which has been dubbed the worst in living memory.

The hailstorm left a trail of destruction across Mucheke, Rujeko and Victoria Ranch suburbs, damaging roofs, windows and perimeter walls.

While no fatalities have been recorded, the number of injured people is still to be determined.

The toll on infrastructure, however, was severe: power lines and transformers were destroyed, plunging Masvingo City into darkness since Monday.

The storm’s impact rippled through the education sector as it forced Great Zimbabwe University to postpone its 20th graduation ceremony, originally set for today to 23 October after the infrastructure at the venue was razed to the ground. The university also suspended lectures with immediate effect until Monday as some learning facilities require repairs.

Schools across the city were not spared either. Few learners turned up yesterday, with the majority staying at home to battle trauma from Monday night’s tragedy.

According to the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), primary school learners were particularly affected.

Government, through the CPU and the Joint Operations Command (JOC), activated disaster response systems yesterday by establishing temporary shelters at DDF Masvingo lodges and Maud Muzenda Training Centre to accommodate the homeless, while an evaluation centre for victims was opened at Mucheke Hall.

Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Ezra Chadzamira, led a team comprising Joint Operations Command (JOC) and CPU members to assess the extent of the damage.

Speaking after the tour, Cde Chadzamira assured affected residents that they would be compensated.

“We assessed some of the affected places in the city with a team comprising JOC and CPU, and we have opened temporary shelters for those left homeless while quantification of damages is ongoing to make sure those affected get compensation,” he said.

“We are calling upon all those affected by the hailstorm to register at the Masvingo District Development Coordinator’s office so that they get assistance.”

Minister Chadzamira expressed relief that there were no fatalities and assured residents that Government was working flat out to restore normalcy.

“We are aware of the power supply situation, which is very bad after the hailstorm damaged power lines and transformers, resulting in the ensuing blackout. But ZESA teams are working flat out to restore electricity, and very soon affected areas will have power,” he added.

The CPU in Masvingo continued its efforts to mitigate the plight of affected residents.

Provincial spokesperson Mr Rodgers Irimayi said they were working with partners to give affected families a soft landing.

“To date, about 13 500 households in Mucheke, Rujeko and Victoria Ranch have been recorded as being affected through damage to windows, perimeter walls and roofs,” he said. “Our initial estimates show that about 67 500 people were affected in Masvingo City, but luckily we did not record any fatalities.”

Mr Irimayi said the number of injured people had not yet been ascertained.

“We have unconfirmed reports of some people who were injured by broken glass windows and flying sheets from damaged roofs, but we have not yet established the exact number.”

He added that partners, including the Red Cross and Christian Care, were ready to accommodate the homeless. “We have also opened an evaluation centre for hailstorm victims at Mucheke Hall.”

Some residents rated Monday’s hailstorm as the worst in living memory, after it affected at least one in every three residents in the city.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Services Department (MDS) has advised that isolated thunderstorms are expected in the extreme eastern parts of the country. In the rest of the country, little rainfall activity is expected, although some light showers may occur.

In an interview, MSD deputy director for Public Weather Services, Mr Isaac Masawana, said thunderstorms could be experienced in some parts of Manicaland.

“For Wednesday, we do not expect much in terms of rainfall activity, but in Manicaland we expect Rusape, Nyanga and Mutare to experience downpours. Some thundershowers can, however, be experienced here and there in some parts of the country. Clear skies are expected across the country on Thursday,” he said.

Some schools and businesses in Harare closed early yesterday afternoon after an alert circulated on social media urging people to stay indoors from 1 pm to 8 pm.

The alert warned: “Do NOT cross flooded rivers or bridges. Move valuables, documents and medication to a higher place. Unplug electricals, keep children away from drains and rivers (Marimba, Mukuvisi).”

The MSD, however, distanced itself from the alert, saying it had not originated from them.

“We also saw the communication. It did not come from us. When we issue an advisory, it should have our logo, and anything that does not have our logo is not ours,” said Mr Masawana. The MSD advised the public to keep following official weather updates.

“Keep warm and plan your day with rain showers in mind. Carry a coat wherever possible. When thunder roars, it is best to be indoors. Do not hide under trees during thunderstorms,” said the MSD.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, said an emergency dial number would soon be provided to assist in reporting cases. He confirmed that Government was working with stakeholders to reconstruct damaged houses and infrastructure as well as provide food and other essentials.

“We are working flat out together with other stakeholders to ensure that at least we can renovate the houses for those who were affected, and be able to continue supporting, be it in terms of food, shelter, and just making sure that everyone is taken care of,” he said.

“So, Civil Protection was activated and deployed to Masvingo province and they are there right now, working hand in glove with the residents.”

Eng Muguti said POTRAZ and mobile network operators were also on high alert, disseminating information on predicted weather patterns. He urged those who might be affected to reach out for assistance early.

“It is very important that they reach out to the District Development Coordinators within their areas, or reach out to the local authority, the offices of town clerks, who will quickly activate Civil Protection,” he said.

“I am also happy to say that we are working on a hotline, a national hotline, which is going to be operational soon — that is 6666 — so that anyone who has an emergency will be able to call. But more details will come later.

“Civil Protection is fully aware that we are having these natural disasters, and we are on the ground helping those who have been affected,” Eng Muguti. *_-Chronicle_*