The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has urged the public to prioritise safety following heavy rain warnings from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD).
In a weather advisory released on Sunday, 18 January 2026, the MSD warned of heavy rain, strong winds, thunder, and lightning across the country from Tuesday, 20 January to Saturday, 24 January 2026.
In response, ZETDC advised people to exercise caution, saying heavy rain and strong winds often damage electrical infrastructure. It said:
“The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) wishes to advise its valued customers and the general public to exercise extreme caution following the heavy rain warnings issued by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) effective Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
“Heavy rains and strong winds often cause damage to electrical infrastructure. To ensure the safety of life and property, please adhere to the following guidelines:
“Treat All Fallen Lines as Live: If you see any fallen or low-hanging power lines, stay away. Never attempt to move or touch them. Water on the ground conducts electricity; approaching a line in wet conditions can be fatal.
“Report Faults Immediately: Report any fallen poles, sparking wires, or substations affected by flooding to our 24-hour contact centre on 704 or your nearest Customer Service Centre.
“Indoor Safety: Do not touch electrical appliances, switches, or sockets with wet hands or while standing on a wet floor. If your house begins to flood, turn off the electricity at the Main Switch immediately, provided it is safe to reach.
“Lightning Protection: Unplug all non-essential electronic gadgets during storms to protect them from power surges caused by lightning.
“Service Delays: 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.”
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