Heavy rains that started on December 31, 2019 have destroyed over 100 houses and three bridges in areas of Mgona, Senti and Area 25 Sector 7 in Lilongwe leaving people homeless.
The rains that have been pouring continuously in the city started around 6 o’clock on the eve of New Year’s Day.
Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City Centre, Alfred Jiya, and Lilongwe City Mayor, Juliana Kaduya visited the areas to appreciate damage caused by the downpour.
Speaking after visiting the affected areas, Kaduya said the council will initiate sensitisation campaigns asking people to avoid building houses along the road.
“We have time and again been advising people to refrain from constructing houses along river banks, and this [disaster] is an outcome of building homes is such places. However, the council will assist the victims with support from Dodma [Department of Disaster Management Affairs] “Kaduya said
Jiya said he was disheartened with the development and appealed for assistance from the government.
One of the affected, Lydia Tembo said the house she was renting has heavily been damaged.
She said all her property was affected
Development committee chairperson for the area, Peter Banda, said there are some people who need to be provided with accommodation in the meantime after their houses were damaged.
Meanwhile, Dodma has distributed food items to some of the displaced people.
