Bulawayo Water Crisis Worsens: Residents Face 130-Hours Weekly Cuts

By Vincent Gudza 

A drought has pushed Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, to the brink of a water crisis. With a third of its reservoirs closed, the city will impose 130-hour weekly water cuts, leaving residents without water for more than 5 days in a week. This drastic measure aims to conserve the city’s dwindling water supply.

Acting Town Clerk, Sikhangele Zhou, confirmed that residential areas will be most affected, while industrial zones and the central business district will face less severe restrictions. 

“We urge residents to adopt strict water-saving measures to mitigate the crisis,” Zhou emphasized. The city council is working tirelessly to address the crisis.
 

The drought has ravaged Zimbabwe, and Bulawayo’s aging infrastructure struggles to meet the growing population’s needs. The city’s water supply system was built to support a smaller population and is now under immense strain. To address this, the city council is actively exploring alternative water sources and implementing water-saving technologies.

Collaboration with stakeholders is also underway to ensure equitable water distribution. Educational campaigns are being conducted to inform residents about effective water conservation methods. 

Residents are advised to take proactive steps to conserve water. The city council will continuously monitor the situation and adjust water cuts accordingly. Transparency and open communication will be maintained throughout this challenging period.