Govt rescues survivors of Karonga hailstorms

Government has virtually ended sleepless nights endured by Karonga residents rendered homeless by hailstorms in January.

This follows the presentation by Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) of blankets and food rations to some victims of the chronic tragedy on Wednesday,.

In an interview, district disaster management officer Walusungu Mwafulirwa said over 400 households in the areas of traditional authorities Kyungu and Wasambo will receive the relief supplies.

Each household will get two 20-kilogramme bags of maize flour, beans and blankets.

Assessments by Karonga District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC) showed that almost 1 000 households were hit by the stormy rains.

Karonga District Council chairperson Ernest Mwalughali said the items have come in time as many people in affected areas are still homeless and likely to harvest too little.

“People in Karonga were heavily affected by stormy rains, and now many maize fields have been destroyed by armyworms. As such, there is still need for food aid. We appeal to other well-wishers to come to our rescue,” said Mwalwali.

According to the District Agriculture Development Office, 914 hectares of maize have been ravaged by fall armyworms.

Karonga is chronically affected by disasters, especially floods, drought and hailstorms. n