3 People die of Floods in Mangochi

At least three people have died and 48 others injured following floods that occurred in Mangochi District

Spokesperson for Mangochi District Council, Bishop Witmos, disclosed that the floods have affected 20 villages and 1,156 households in traditional authorities Chimwala, Mapira as well as Mponda.

Witmos says the disaster destroyed infrastructure such as health facilities, schools where people sought shelter, crops and livestock.

Witmos says the council has established three camps at Mpinganjira Primary School, hosting 160 households with total population of 701 people, Nansenga Community Day Secondary School hosting 21 households with total population of 67 people and Changamire Primary School hosting 111 households with total population of 300.

District Disaster Risk Management Officer Maria Phiri said affected families are currently seeking urgent assistance.

He therefore asked government agents, private sector and individuals of goodwill to provide food and nonfood items to be distributed to the affected households.

According to Phiri, such urgent assistance includes family tents, tarpaulins, basins, plates, pots, blankets, clothing, dignity kits, treated mosquito nets, sleeping mats and lamps.

Phiri further said there was also need to provide anti-malarial drugs, first aid kits, chlorine, other essential drugs, mobile toilets and mobile clinics to avoid outbreaks such as cholera, diarrhoea and malaria.

This is the second time rains have affected people, livestock and infrastructure in Mangochi since the onset of rainfall season.

Meanwhile, authorities have urged people residing in disaster prone areas to move to safer places for fear of possible floods caused by heavy rain