Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
IN the low-lying, flood-prone areas around Chipinge South and Musikavanhu-Mutema constituencies, in Chipinge District, the recent heavy rainfall brought about mixed fortunes.
While the rains were a welcome relief for many villagers who rely on farming for their livelihoods, they also posed a significant threat.
Prior to the rains, crops and livestock were under severe stress, but the downpour has alleviated these concerns.
However, the heavy rainfall also brought a curse, as the genuine fear of flooding gripped residents in these areas. With each day of heavy rains pounding the sun-baked soils of the lowveld area, affectionately known as ‘mugowa’ by the predominantly Ndau ethnic group that inhabits this south-eastern border district, anxiety levels rose.
Although fears of flooding persist, particularly after heavy rains, one factor that exacerbates the impact of flooding is the design of local housing constructions.
The majority of homesteads in the area have low foundations that are level with the built ground, highlighting the need for climate-resilient construction methods.
Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate.
Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new, or alter current, climate-related risks, and taking steps to better cope with these risks.
Climate resilient construction is the practice of building structures to withstand and recover from natural hazards that are made worse by climate change. It can help to protect lives, investments and ecosystems.
Thus civil and structural expert, Engineer Wilson Mutasa said: “Indeed, there is need for climate-resilient construction practices in flood-prone areas. Foundations must be specially designed, and buildings should be situated away from waterways. Even for rural houses, external walls should be at least 230cm thick, and roofs must be securely fixed to the ring beam with hoop irons.”
This approach aligns with Government’s Build Back Better concept, adopted in response to the devastating Cyclone Idai of March 14, 2019.
Government committed to constructing infrastructure that can withstand future climate-related hazards.
A cursory internet search revealed that climate-resilient construction encompasses various techniques, including the use of durable, low-carbon building materials, and passive cooling methods that reduce cooling needs.
Notably, areas around Chipinge South are prone to flash flooding, which occurs almost annually, whenever the region experiences heavy rainfall.
For instance, Mwacheta Village in Chief Musikavanhu’s area, Chipinge South, consistently experiences heavy rainfall around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
This results in widespread destruction, with houses being damaged, food items being lost, and livestock, including chickens, being swept away. Consequently, villagers are left facing enormous challenges.
For that area, the situation is usually compounded by the flooded Nyamukungwa River whose origins are in the upper part of Chipinge in the Chikore area.
Because of that, the flooded river gush into people’s homes, wreaking havoc on the social and economic lives of the people.
It appears, poverty leaves many without an option, but sticking to risky structures.
A local builder in the Chipinge area, Mr Hlupani Masheedze, said: “The problem we face is that when we are hired to construct a building or house, we have to work with the materials and budget provided by the owner.
‘‘We try to advise them on the importance of higher foundations, more durable materials, and stronger ring beams, but ultimately, we can only work with what the owner can afford to provide.”
To promote climate-resilient construction, additional measures are recommended. These include rainwater harvesting to collect and conserve rainwater, installing hurricane-resistant windows, using reinforced concrete structures, and incorporating energy-efficient technologies.
Climate-resilient construction offers numerous benefits, including reducing losses from extreme weather events, supporting the Paris Agreement’s mitigation targets, aligning with national development goals, and potentially saving trillions of dollars in damages.
