Dam collapse in Chipinge farm

A deadly dam collapse occurred on 9 March 2025 at Bandama Farm in Chipinge District, in eastern Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province, when the walls of a rural irrigation dam suddenly breached following heavy rainfall. The release of water swept through downstream areas, catching residents and livestock off guard and leaving a trail of destruction across farms and villages. The Civil Protection Unit confirmed at least five people were killed, including children, and two others remained missing as search and rescue efforts continued. Local authorities reported that victims were engaged in everyday activities such as washing clothes or fishing when the surge hit, and several bodies of children were recovered from floodwaters. The collapse also destroyed agricultural infrastructure and livestock, crippling livelihoods in the rural community and highlighting the dangers of aging or poorly maintained water management structures in Zimbabwe’s flood-prone regions. Zimbabwe’s government and local leaders condemned the tragedy and pledged to support affected families, while disaster officials stressed the need for better dam safety monitoring and early warning systems to protect vulnerable rural populations during intense rainy seasons. The incident underscored broader concerns about infrastructure resilience in the face of climate variability and flash floods across the country.