By Salome Gangire

Neno, December 14, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Office has called on communities living along Shire River, Nkulumadzi, Lisungwi and Kholombidzo Rivers to relocate to higher grounds for safety following an impending Cyclone Chido induced rains as announced by Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS).

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Neno, Brighton Mphinga made the call on Saturday as he engaged communities to raise awareness of the impending rains.

Speaking during an awareness organized in partnership with Beyond Our Hearts Foundation (BOHF), Mphinga warned that Cyclone Chido was expected to bring heavy rains to the Southern parts of Malawi from Sunday through Tuesday, according to projections by the DCCMS.

“All those living along these rivers should move to upland areas and avoid crossing flooded rivers to prevent deaths,” he added, and therefore urged communities along the rivers in Neno to remain vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines and cooperate with local authorities to minimize the impact of potential flooding.

Ministry of Water and Sanitation through the Department of Water Resources also cautioned that heavy rains due to Cyclone Chido were likely to cause high water levels in major rivers across the central and southern regions, leading to flooding.

In a press statement released on Friday, the DCFCMS warned that between December 15 and 21, 2024, Malawi may experience significant rainfall due to Cyclone Chido, which has developed in the Indian Ocean.

The DCCMS forecasts that Cyclone Chido induced rains had potential to increase risk of river flooding.

The statement noted that flood forecasting models have identified several rivers likely to experience high water levels during this period and these include Nkula, Linthipe, Lingadzi, Lipimbi, Lifidzi, Nadziphuru, Livulezi, Nasolo, Mudi, Lilongwe, Diamphwe, Likangala, Thondwe, Namadzi, Phalombe, Namphende, Sombani, Likhubula, Mwanza, Lisungwi, Mkulumadzi, Mkombedzi wa Fodya, Nyachipere, Thangadzi, and Thuchira.

Beyond Our Hearts Foundation is implementing a transforming local institutions through empowerment for disaster management and climate resilience with funding from Save Children International, Italy.

The project aims to enhance local governance and institutional capacities for effective, efficient and inclusive implementation of disaster risk management and climate adaptation initiatives.