Extreme heat is increasingly affecting the health of pregnant women and newborns, with a new survey finding that maternal healthcare professionals are seeing more heat-related cases and complications. The survey, commissioned by Wellcome and covering 1,000 maternal healthcare professionals across Australia, Brazil, India, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, found that 73% of respondents reported an…
…as thousands of households suffer extensive damage The government has declared a State of Disaster in Masvingo after a hailstorm caused widespread damage to homes, public infrastructure, and businesses, underscoring local communities’ growing vulnerability to extreme weather events. President Emmerson Mnangagwa made the declaration under Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06], following…
Heavy downpours, high winds, and severe hailstorms swept across several parts of Zimbabwe after a passing cloud system originating from Botswana moved over the region, official weather reports show. According to data released by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), significant rainfall amounts were logged across the western and southern provinces. The highest rainfall was recorded…
Zimbabwe is establishing a single coordination platform and investment pipeline to translate climate early warnings into funded action on the ground ahead of the 2026/27 farming season. This comes as forecasts warn of an 88–94% likelihood of El Niño during the 2026/27 rainy season, alongside a 65% probability of below-normal rainfall. In response, the government,…
Severe weather can develop quickly, leaving communities with little time to respond. But timely and accurate warnings can give people a critical window to protect lives, property and livelihoods. The severe hailstorm that struck parts of Masvingo on Monday night, damaging homes, vehicles and infrastructure and forcing some families to seek temporary shelter, is a…
A severe hailstorm that struck parts of Masvingo on Monday night damaged homes, vehicles and critical infrastructure, leaving some families without shelter and forcing Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) to postpone its graduation ceremony. Masvingo Mayor Councillor Aleck Tabe said the storm caused extensive damage to residential properties, with roofs blown off and windows, windowpanes and…
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has introduced mandatory environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance requirements across Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector for the 2026/27 season, linking contractor and merchant licensing directly to verified sustainability metrics. The regulatory shift comes as the nation’s tobacco harvest reached a record 359.1 million kilograms in 2026 under the Tobacco…
When Zimbabweans hear that El Niño is coming, one of the first concerns is often drought. That concern is understandable. El Niño events have been associated with below-normal rainfall across parts of southern Africa, including Zimbabwe. But El Niño is not a drought. It is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that can influence weather patterns…
Treasury says the upcoming national budget will be anchored on a six-pillar climate-proofing strategy to buffer the domestic economy against severe El Niño weather patterns. Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube said mitigating environmental and external vulnerabilities is crucial to preserving Zimbabwe’s target macroeconomic trajectory. “The budget will articulate ways to climate-proof the economy with a…
Staff Writer The World Food Programme (WFP) has called for immediate anticipatory measures over the next three months as Zimbabwe faces potential economic and social disruptions from a forecasted El Niño event. Speaking during a media briefing in Harare, WFP Country Director for Zimbabwe Barbara Clemens warned that historically severe El Niño cycles bring below-normal…
Climate Brief
Zimbabwe's latest climate, energy, policy and business developments delivered to your inbox.
