The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has reported significant damage to railway infrastructure following heavy rains that caused wash aways along the South East Line. Key sections, including the Rutenga-Mbizi and Rutenga-Beitbridge lines, have been severely affected, forcing temporary suspension of train services.
According to NRZ, 360 meters of railway track in the Rutenga-Mbizi section were washed away, while the Rutenga-Beitbridge line saw 120 meters of track damaged, with gullies as deep as two meters in some areas. These regions, typically characterized by low rainfall, have recently experienced unusually heavy rains, which experts attribute to climate change.
The affected areas’ natural topography makes them vulnerable to such incidents, NRZ noted. Despite similar occurrences in past years, this has been described as the most severe wash away to date.
Efforts to restore operations are progressing, with infrastructure teams working around the clock to rebuild the damaged sections. NRZ confirmed that repairs are currently 90% complete. Materials such as ballast and quarry fines from Nalatale Quarry Mine in Shangani are being used to stabilize the tracks, and the line is expected to reopen fully by Saturday, 18 January 2025.
NRZ has assured the nation of its commitment to prioritizing safety and resuming services promptly. The incident serves as a reminder of the growing impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure and the need for robust mitigation measures.
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