By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, April 16, Mana: 127 households in the area of Senior Chief Malanda and Traditional Authority (TA) Fukamalaza in Nkhata Bay have been affected by floods following heavy rains that fell in the district from the 11th to 12 April, 2024.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhata Bay, Rachel Kamanga confirmed the development on Monday during District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in the district, saying some houses have completely collapsed.

Kamanga said according to the assessment they have conducted, 118 households from Group Village Headman (GVH) Msundu, Ngombo and Chenyentha in Senior Chief Malanda as well as nine households from GHV Thulu and Chigulugulu in TA Fukamalaza have been affected but officials are still working on the ground to establish the exact extent of damage.

"A number of houses have been affected in Senior Chief Malanda and TA Fukamalaza especially in GVH Ngombo where we have reports that some families have been displaced and are sheltering at a school at the moment.

"We still don't have the exact number of displaced persons but we are still trying to get in touch with the community members, leaders and disaster management structures on the ground to know the exact figures," she said.

Kamanga has since appealed for assistance from well-wishers and non-governmental organisations across the country to support with basic needs such as materials for reconstructing houses and food to the affected families.

According to Meteorological Officer for Nkhata Bay, Amos Chimbwiri, there is a possibility that the district will continue receiving heavy rains in the next four days as per the weekly weather report by the department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services.

Chimbwiri has advised people in Nkhata Bay to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to consider relocating from flood prone areas to prevent more damage to life and property.