HARARE, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 118 people have been killed and 61 others injured as a result of heavy rains across Zimbabwe since the start of the rainy season, the country's Department of Civil Protection (DCP) said Tuesday.
In its latest situation report, the DCP said nine more people had died over the past week, raising the death toll to 118, up from 109 recorded the previous week.
The deaths over the past week were mainly due to drowning and mine collapse caused by heavy rains, the DCP said.
The rains have affected 8,295 households and damaged 334 houses, 236 schools, 15 health facilities, and 21 bridges nationwide as of now, the DCP said, adding that at least 12 marooning incidents have also been recorded.
The department said that major highways and roads in both urban and rural areas have been severely affected, with some impassable and in need of rehabilitation.
Zimbabwe's rainy season typically runs from October to March, bringing heavy rainfall and occasional storms.
