By Lyte Ali and Shaffie Bakali

Mangochi, April 4, Mana: Despite rainfall inconsistence in Mangochi this year, families in the district living along Shire River, Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe have been displaced, following flooding of the three water bodies with crocodiles wandering all over and posing threats to lives of people.

A spot check by Malawi News Agency in selected areas under Traditional Authority Mapira shows that the floods have filled most of the houses plus some lodges, disturbing the hospitality industry.

Heavy rains have persisted in the northern region of the country as well as from the neighboring Republic of Tanzania, causing the water levels of major water bodies to rise.

Speaking in an Interview on Wednesday, one of the affected people from Ngalamu Village, Aliate Chikausa, said that the development has brought panic and burden to most families in the area.

“The floods have made our village an island, making access to markets, workplaces, schools and maize mills a problem.

“The only way to travel from our village to access these places is through the boat which is costing us a lot. We usually travel four to six times a day, which is sucking our financial muscle but we have no other options,” said Chikausa, adding that life is in imminent danger as increased number of crocodiles are seen wandering around villages.

Another displaced person, Ellias Chikoko, said floods have negatively impacted people's marital life as the displacement has caused temporary separation of many couples.

"We were living in our own house which, as of now, is in water. My relatives offered us a temporary shelter to settle but it cannot accommodate the whole family and resorted to send my wife and children away to the village, waiting for the situation to stabilize" said Chikoko.

In an interview, T/A Mapira said that the floods were a setback to development in his area and the whole district, adding that economic activities that could improve household incomes have stopped.

"Many people constructed modern infrastructures that added beauty to this area. Floods have destroyed such infrastructures, a thing which is worrisome," said Mapira.

While pleading with government and other organizations to come and help the affected people, Mapira asked those that have been affected by the flooding to relocate to safer places.