Ramifications of Flooding on Livelihoods: A Case of Two Communal Areas in Chivi District in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study interogated the effects of heavy rains and subsequent flooding on rural livelihoods of people in two communal areas of Nemauzhe and Neruvanga in Chivi district, Zimbabwe.There is an apparent dearth of literature on the livelihood impact of flooding in Zimbabwe as the area is not usually prone to floods. The study avails an initial assessment of the impact of the disaster on livelihoods at a local level.Ramifications of the floods are brought to the fore utilizing empirical evidence as well as documentary analysis from government department and contribution by various scholars from other parts of the worlds. Six villages were purposively selected from the two communal areas affected by flooding in January/February 2014