In a tragic incident, two people from Mbire district in Mashonaland Central province lost their lives on Saturday after they were swept away while attempting to cross a flooded river.

Mrs Mahabhe Zengeretsi (65) and a 16-year-old boy from Masoka village, ward 11 under Chief Chisunga were confirmed dead after they were swept away by the flooded Manongora River.

This was confirmed by Mbire Rural District Council chairman Cllr Ishmael Chaukura, "I confirm the tragic death of a Mbire woman and a boy after being swept away while trying to cross the flooded Manongora River on Saturday morning.

"For the past few days Mbire has been receiving a lot of rain which has resulted in many rivers like Dande and Angwa flooding," he said.

"We are putting in place measures to minimise disasters due to flooding since we are a region perennially haunted by floods in this Zambezi basin. We are always on high alert."

In a separate incident, another Mbire woman was killed last week after being attacked by a crocodile while fishing, and her remains have not yet been found.

"Rinda Koza (80) of Makuwerere village under Chief Chitsungo in ward 10 was attacked by a crocodile while fishing in a river, her remains have not been found," said Cllr Chaukura.