Mzimba district commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu has warned communities in the district against crossing swollen rivers.
He issued the warning on Saturday during a monitoring tour of some villages in Traditional Authority (T/A) Khosolo, where he inspected the impact of the recent downpours on communities and public infrastructure.
“We have registered deaths of people who drowned after attempting to cross swollen rivers. People should avoid crossing swollen rivers because they risk being swept away by strong currents,” said Bulukutu.
He said his tour sought to appreciate the situation and identify damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges and culverts that could pose danger to both motorists and pedestrians.
The DC further urged village leaders and area development committees to intensify civic education on disaster risk reduction.
T/A Khosolo said two victims from Chimulu Kasenga Village drowned while attempting to cross Rukuru River when they were returning from their maize fields.
In his remarks, T/A Khosolo said the deaths shocked the community and served as a painful lesson.
“We plan to conduct awareness meetings with our people to stop crossing rivers such Rukuru when they are full. It is better to delay farm activities or movements than to lose lives,” he said.
Another person found dead in a river, came from group village head Mbachazya Siwande, in T/A Mabilabo in the district.
Josiah Soko, a community member from T/A Mabilabo, thanked the DC for the advice.
He said: “It is indeed dangerous to cross flooded rivers. We will relay the message to other community members to be safe.
“We will wait until the waters subside for us to start visiting our farms.”
