By Mary Sichali

Karonga, October 22, Mana: Karonga District Council Development Service Committee has endorsed a Disaster Risk Management Plan (DRMP), which is expected to run for five years from 2024 to 2029.

Speaking on Monday during a service committee meeting, Disaster Risk Management Officer for Karonga Humphrey Magalasi said Karonga is hit by disasters annually hence the development of the DRMP to improve preparedness.

“The DRMP outlines our plans to build dykes along the rivers that are flood prone and construct 12 evacuation centers in the district. Karonga has six Traditional Authorities (TA), therefore, two evacuation centers will be built per TA,” Magalasi said.

He also said that some people will be relocated, especially those who stay in flood prone locations.

“We will conduct land zoning where we will map out habitable areas where people can relocate to,” Magalasi explained.

He added that they will collaborate with their partners to advocate for the plan and sensitize the community to motivate adherence to measures endorsed.

In a seperate interview, Chairperson of Karonga District Council Development Committee, Gift Mwakiyelu said they will support the council in the advancement of the intervention plans to ensure compliance in communities.

"However, government should convince people to relocate from flood prone areas which is not an easy task considering the fact that most of them have lived there for a very long time," Mwakiyelu said.

“Government should consider providing materials such as iron sheets or cement for people to build new homes. This will inspire them to easily adopt the idea of relocation hence the government will also save the resources that would have been used to support them every year,” he added.