Africa

Deadly floods hit southern Zimbabwe, destroying many homes

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Former Zimbabwean Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe crosses a flooded road on her way to assess damages caused by floods in Tsholostho about 200 kilometres north of Bulawayo, Saturday, March 4, 2017. Zimbabwe says floods have killed over 200 people and left close to 2,000 homeless since December. The Southern African country has appealed to International donors for $100 million to help those affected by floods. (AP Photo/ Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) (The Associated Press)

Villagers carry food for people taking care o of their livestock in Tsholostho about 200 kilometres north of Bulawayo, Saturday, March 4, 2017. Zimbabwe says floods have killed over 200 people and left close to 2,000 homeless since December. The Southern African country has appealed to International donors for $100 million to help those affected by floods. (AP Photo/ Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) (The Associated Press)

A man crosses a flooded river with his dog in Tsholostho about 200 kilometres north of Bulawayo, Saturday, March 4, 2017. Zimbabwe says floods have killed over 200 people and left close to 2,000 homeless since December. The Southern African country has appealed to International donors for $100 million to help those affected by floods. (AP Photo/ Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) (The Associated Press)

Floods in Zimbabwe have killed nearly 250 people since December in regions that were recently suffering from drought. Those who have survived the floods say they have lost virtually all their possessions.

Government officials said nearly 900 people have been airlifted by helicopters from flooded areas in rural southern Zimbabwe. Since December, floods have killed 246 people, injured 128 and left nearly 2,000 homeless. Five bridges on major highways have been swept away nationwide.

This southern African country last week appealed to international donors for $100 million to help those affected by the floods, which have washed away bridges and roads and cut off some communities. President Robert Mugabe, currently in Singapore for medical treatment, declared the floods to be a national disaster.