Floods displace hundreds in Phalombe

At least 400 people of Phaloni area in Traditional Authority Kaduya in Phalombe district have been displaced by floods due to heavy rains that the area received over the past weekend.

The floods which happened in the night of February 9, damaged 300 houses, 98 hectares of crops, as well as displacing property and livestock.

Meanwhile, Phalombe district council and non-governmental organisations operating in the district are mobilising resources to respond to the disaster.

According to a report by Phalombe District Council, out of the 300 affected houses, 163 houses were completely demolished while 137 were partially damaged but still in inhabitable state.

Speaking during an emergency District Executive Committee meeting aimed at preparing to respond to the disaster, District Commissioner for Phalombe; Gossam Mafuta said the situation require urgent response as rights and lives were at stake.

“Some 68 families have been evacuated to Phaloni Primary School, a thing that has also disrupted lessons for our children and this is not an ideal situation,” Mafuta said.

He further indicated that the response that was needed could be in form of both materials and psycho-social support.

Assistant Disaster Risk Management Officer for Phalombe Davie Chibani indicated that there was need for a number of material things such as maize floor, plastic sheeting, blankets, kitchen sets and lighting lamps among other things.

“Meanwhile the district council and Non-governmental Organizations working in the district are mobilizing primary resources to bail out the affected households,” expressed Chibani.

Towards the end of 2017 Phalombe was again hit by strong winds which disrupted 174 households and over 300 people from the area of Traditional Authority Jenala were displaced.