Hailstorm, heavy rains destroy houses, crops in Mchinji

Heavy rains characterised by hailstorms have destroyed houses and washed away crops in traditional authorities Zulu, Simphasi and Dambe in Mchinji District.

Authorities say almost 4 842 households have been affected.

Mchinji disaster desk officer Kingsley Chioko Banda said the heavy rains fell from January 3 to 4 2017.

Banda said in the areas of Senior Chief Dambe and T/A Simphasi 449 hectares have been affected while 77 people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

“A total of 8 070 students have been affected at Gandali CDSS, Kamwendo Model and Kamwendo TDC and some school blocks in six other schools,” he said.

Meanwhile, the displaced people need food, shelter materials, blankets and kitchen utensils among other things.

According to the district assessment team, there have been fears of water borne disease outbreaks such as cholera due to poor sanitation as most toilets have collapsed. n