By George Mponda
Karonga, October 31, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has called on Chiefs to advise Malawians to prepare for the next hydrological cycle, which will see higher levels of water in the country’s water bodies.

Speaking while addressing Karonga Council Meeting on Wednesday, NWRA's Senior Civic Education and Public Relations Officer Masozi Kasambara said Chiefs need to warn people against construction or undertaking any activities along Lakes and Rivers.

Kasambara said; "With this projection, it means the area along the Lakes and Rivers is not safe for any development and it belongs to the state therefore, Chiefs need to help in warning people against settling and farming to avoid the risk of flooding which might lead to loss of lives."

He added that adhering to the best practices in preserving water resources is very crucial to achieving Malawi 2063 since water is a vital resource in industrialisation, urbanisation and agricultural production.

"However, the fact that water levels will be higher is not bad news since this means that the country will have adequate water to be used for domestic and industrial purposes," he explained.

On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu urged the authority to clearly instruct Malawians on where the boundaries are between the water bodies and public land.

"Water is life, as chiefs we have a crucial role to sensitise people on the do's and dont's on sustainable water use. The problem is that most Malawians misunderstood democracy and they think they can do anything including wanton cutting of trees and cultivating along river banks," Kyungu said.

"I would like to urge the NWRA to properly instruct citizens on how best they can make use of this water which they say will be higher in the next hydrological cycle," he added.