Bulawayo residents are calling on the government to declare the city a water disaster zone, a move they believe is crucial for securing much-needed assistance from donors and humanitarian organizations.
This urgent plea comes as the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) attends a Public Hearing at City Hall convened by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing, alongside the Thematic Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Posting on their X platform, BPRA said: “Residents are urging the government to declare Bulawayo a water disaster zone, which would facilitate vital assistance from donors and humanitarian organizations.
“Furthermore, they are calling for a significant increase in the budget allocation for water infrastructure,” residents said.
According to the association, the Public Hearing was aimed at addressing the ongoing water crisis in Bulawayo.
The following were key objectives outlined for the meeting: Assess the current state of Bulawayo’s water supply, gather public input, to check on the status of the Gwayi Shangani Lake and pipeline project and develop stakeholder-driven solutions.
Over the years, the city has experienced a growing scarcity of water resources, largely attributed to recurring droughts and aging infrastructure.
El Niño-induced droughts have contributed to drier conditions in the country, reducing the amount of rainfall necessary to replenish Bulawayo’s key water sources.
As a result, the city’s major dams, such as Insiza, Umzingwane, Upper Ncema, and Lower Ncema, have seen critical drops in water levels.
These reservoirs are the backbone of Bulawayo’s water supply, but recurrent dry spells, coupled with erratic rainfall patterns, have led to their depletion.
The water crisis has forced the Bulawayo City Council to impose stringent water rationing measures, affecting both residents and industries.
