Met sounds floods alert
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has said that other parts of the country will be affected by floods this rain season, which could cause further destruction.
Nineteen districts have already been affected by floods that have claimed six lives, destroyed property and displaced people.
Met’s Director, Jolamu Nkhokwe, said Monday that all parts of the country will be receiving heavy rains which are likely to lead to flooding.
“There are hot spots that should be having heavy rains, especially in the lakeshore areas, southern, northern and also the western part. The expected widespread heavy downpour upland is likely to trigger floods as a result of swelling of rivers worsened by environmental degradation and poor drainage systems.
“Most people have put up structures in wrong places and this is not acceptable because it is one reason we are having tragedies. So, there is no doubt that many people will be affected because these floods are occurring due to the destruction of the environment, particularly deforestation,” Nkhokwe said.
Public Relations Officer in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), Chipiliro Khamula, said government had allocated K1.2 billion for disaster response and recovery in the 2017/ 18 financial year.
Khamula, however, said he is not sure whether the money is enough claiming it is tricky to predict when disaster would strike.
“You may wish to appreciate that allocating funds is not necessarily providing the actual funding. These are two different issues because sometimes we may receive less than what was promised,” Khamula said.
He further explained that the department is expecting to start distributing relief items to families that have been affected by floods in Rumphi and Lilongwe.
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