Heavy rains wreak havoc
By Patience Lunda:
At least 74 households have been displaced following heavy rains and strong winds in the Northern Region.
The rains have also destroyed eight churches, a primary school and roofs of eight teachers’ houses have been blown off.
This has caused panic among people in the region as people seek temporary shelter while learning in some schools has been suspended.
Member of Parliament for Mzimba West Constituency, Billy Kaunda, confirmed the development saying most of the victims are yet to receive relief support.
“I have reported the matter to authorities but we are yet to receive assistance. It is my wish that they should come earlier because a lot of things have been disturbed and all the homeless people have no food to eat,” he said.
However, Secretary to the Vice-President and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Wilson Moleni, said his office is waiting for an official report from M’mbelwa District Council before assisting the victims.
“It is our appeal that these reports should be sent early so that we can know how much is needed to assist the victims,” he said.
M’mbelwa District Council Acting Disaster Risk Management officer, George Gopani, said they sent to the government a preliminary report on Monday followed by another report on Tuesday.
In Nkhata Bay, Chitinje Primary School has also been blown off by strong winds and heavy rains.
Education authorities have disclosed that assessment of the damage is underway but the learning process has also been disrupted.
Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has revealed that the rains are expected to continue and people have been cautioned to be careful during this period.
In April this year, Cyclone Idai which hit some parts of Malawi led to the displacement of some 600,000 people and death of 60 in districts such as Nsanje and Chikwawa.
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