Floods hit Karonga, 47 families displaced
Karonga has activated its disaster risk reduction systems following relentless rains which led to North Rukuru River swelling beyond its banks last week.
The district on the northern shores of Lake Malawi usually experiences floods in February and March, but tragedy struck on Thursday when the river swelled beyond its banks and sent about 47 households in six villages under Group Village Head Zindi scampering for refuge in nearby church.
District commissioner (DC) Rosemary Moyo said there were no major casualties except crops which were swept away when the spillovers sped past the affected rural setting about seven kilometres north of Karonga Town.
Said the DC: “The villagers detected the looming danger on time and they were able to run to a nearby church where they are seeking refuge. Out of 47, 45 households will require urgent assistance in terms of maize, beans and tents.”
Situated in the rift valley basin, Karonga is prone to disasters resulting from floods, storms and earthquakes.
Karonga residents have been murmuring about impending disaster since an earthquake on New Year Eve left 10 houses with gaping cracks in Etuwelo Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwakaoko. Earlier this month, hailstorms left over 650 households homeless in the district.
The uncertainty has been worsened by weather reports warning the Northern Region—together with the Centre—to get ready for destructive rains almost the size of those which have killed over 170 people and displaced about 200 000 families in the South.
Government requires a minimum of K5 billion (US$10 526 316) for relief items earmarked for survivors in Nsanje, Chikwawa, Zomba, Blantyre, Mulanje and other hit areas, said Vice-President Saulos Chilima.
The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), which has nationwide disaster risk management projects, has been strengthening the locals in Karonga to reforest river banks, utilise traditional early warning systems, map escape routes and establish classrooms that serve as evacuation centres in time of need.
Karonga Diocese’s Cadecom desk officer Franklin Msiska said the flooding was not severe, but it has jolted the district’s civil protection committees into action because this could be “an early warning that tough times are just around the corner”.
Years of devastation compelled Karonga District Council to set aside a warehouse for relief items, but district disaster officer WalusunguMwafulirwa recently told Weekend Nation that the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) is yet to provide foodstuffs, plastic sheets and other necessary materials in anticipation for chronic disaster.
