By Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, October 23, Mana: The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has warned residents in Nkhotakota to avoid undertaking any activity along the boards of Water, as they anticipate a rise in water levels in Lake Malawi and other boards of water this coming rainy season.

These remarks were made on Tuesday by the NWRA Public Relations Officer Masozi Kasambara during an engagement meeting with senior members from Area Development Committees (ADCs) at NKhotakota Aids Support Organization hall (NASO) in Nkhotakota district.

Kasambara said the meeting was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of relocating to establishments close to Lake Malawi, rivers and other boards of Water. He revealed that projection indicates that Lake Malawi and other boards of water in the district, will have high water levels in the next hydrological year than in the current year.

Kasambara further asked the general public to seek guidance from the authority whenever they are considering constructing infrastructure along rivers or shorelines. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to relocate ahead of the upcoming rainy season.

"The prediction has it that during the next hydrological year, we will witness more water levels both on Lake Malawi and Shire River, but the key message that we would like to put across to the nation is that people must avoid constructing infrastructures or cultivating along the river banks or lake Malawi because this can put their lives at risk", said Kasambara.

In his remarks, Kanyenda ADC Chairperson, McPasswell Mzumara commended the initiative, and he assured the authority that they would share information gained during the meeting with people living in their respective villages.

Mzumara said Nkhotakota was hit hard by floods this year in February and many people have not recovered from the devastation and to see a repeat of the same would be unfortunate.