CLIMATE experts have called for enhanced attention towards strengthening infrastructure resilience in the Southern Africa region, amid changing weather extremities such as flooding.
From the flooding crisis that affected the Bandama Dam in Chipinge, Zimbabwe, last month, to the latest Vaal flooding in South Africa this Monday, the risks of climate change within the Southern African region are intensifying each season.
Critical infrastructure such as roads, dams and bridges are bearing the brunt of climate change with heavy losses and damages.
Climate experts are raising the red flag over the continued damages to critical infrastructure, which they say could run into several millions of dollars within the coming years if left unchecked.
“What we have to look at now is a situation where we have to climate proof our infrastructure considering what is happening in the region, for example what happened in 2019 when the region was affected by Cyclone Idai.
“Damages on infrastructure really have to be considered they have to be climate proofed, as well as to ensure that the personnel behind the construction of this infrastructure should have the necessary knowledge on climate change,” Regional Climate Change Expert, Mr Shepherd Zvigadza said.
According to experts, climate fuelled disasters are costing the country millions of dollars annually worldwide, hence the need for better planning against extremities such as flooding.
“Zimbabwe is increasingly vulnerable to extremities of climate change especially flooding, droughts and shifting weather patterns. Most of the infrastructure including bridges, roads and energy were designed for a more stable climate.
In recent years we have seen floods wash away bridges, roads becoming impassable. For rural communities, a single flood event can cut off access to markets, health care and emergency response. Strengthening resilience needs urgent and deliberate action.
We need to have climate designs that can withstand extreme weather patterns such as flooding,” Climate Change Expert, Ms Sharon Mada said.
According to the State of the Climate in Africa Report of 2022, the rate of temperature increase in Africa has accelerated in recent decades, with weather and climate-related hazards becoming more severe.
Chief Director in the Department of Civil Protection Mr Nathan Nkomo says they are looking at enhancing collaboration with other government arms to mitigate against the loss and damage arising from volatile weather.
“We need to work hand in glove with Ministry of Lands to ensure that all the water bodies are managed. When you look at the current set up the dams are used for irrigation without assessment on the risk that they may be damaged due to extreme flooding,” Mr Nkomo said.
