Thursday 22 January 2026
Zim GBC News | Business Correspondent
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has called on the public to exercise extreme caution following a severe weather alert issued by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD). The warning of heavy rains and strong winds, effective from Tuesday, January 20, 2026, poses a significant threat to national power infrastructure.
In a public statement, ZETDC highlighted the heightened risks associated with severe weather.
“Heavy rains and strong winds often cause damage to electrical infrastructure,” the utility company stated, emphasizing that such damage can lead to serious danger to life and property if safety guidelines are disregarded.
A key warning from ZETDC stressed the importance of treating all fallen or low-hanging power lines as live and extremely hazardous. The company specifically noted that “approaching downed lines, particularly in wet conditions, can be fatal as water conducts electricity.”
The power utility urged customers to report any electrical faults immediately—including fallen poles, sparking wires, or flooded substations—through its 24-hour contact centre on 704 or at the nearest Customer Service Centre.
To prevent accidents in the home, ZETDC advised the public against handling electrical appliances during storms and warned not to touch switches, sockets, or appliances with wet hands or while standing on wet surfaces. In the event of flooding indoors, customers were advised to switch off electricity at the main switch, provided it is safe to do so.
Furthermore, to protect sensitive electronics from lightning-induced power surges, the company recommended unplugging non-essential gadgets during storms.
ZETDC also cautioned that power restoration efforts may be delayed during periods of intense rainfall. “During heavy rains, restoration of faults may take longer than usual as our technical teams must follow safety protocols, which include suspending work on overhead lines during active storms,” the statement explained.
The utility reiterated its commitment to maintaining supply while prioritizing public safety, urging citizens to remain vigilant as the country experiences intensified wet weather conditions.
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