By Aubrey Ghambi

Nkhata Bay, January 3, Mana: About 212 houses in Nkhata Bay district have been damaged following heavy rains accompanied by strong winds in the district on Wednesday.

Nkhata Bay District Council Spokesperson Chisomo Kambandanga confirmed the development in an interview on Thursday.

He said the rains covered a wide range of areas; however, the affected houses are in the areas of Traditional Authorities Fukamalaza, Mkondowe, Mndola, Khoza, and Senior Chief Timbiri.

"In the last two days of 2024 up to the day we were celebrating the New Year; most areas received heavy rains, which was accompanied by strong winds causing damage to several houses.

 "This has left most people homeless as walls of their houses were damaged, and roofs blown off, among others.  Through an assessment and verification exercise the council conducted, I can confirm that 212 households have been affected,” Kambandanga said.

According to Kambandanga, the rains also affected some school blocks where roofs have been blown off in the mentioned areas.

"A report has been sent to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) as the affected families require numerous essential items," he added.

Councilor for Kandoli Ward, Osman Charge Phiri said that the affected households need urgent assistance of food, basic needs like clothes, and support to reconstruct their damaged houses for them to resume normal life.

One of the affected household members, Mary Manda, from the area of Senior Chief Timbiri said the disaster has heavily impacted her household.

"This has greatly affected us, as instead of focusing on farming, our attention will be diverted to rebuilding our home, which may lead to hunger in the next season,” she said