Heavy rains destroy school blocks, houses in Lilongwe

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds on Monday destroyed over 50 houses in Area 44, Lilongwe, leaving five injured and many homeless.

Msambeta Primary School head teacher Christone Pondakwawo described the incident as regrettable, saying he doubted if the school would reopen next week as scheduled.

“The damage is just too much. As it is now, seven out of the eight school blocks, representing 14 classes, have been destroyed. Since the rains are continuing, we are not sure how safe these building are anymore,” he said.

Pondakwawo, whose house was also destroyed, said they needed immediate help. He said they had already alerted the district education manager (DEM) about the ordeal.

“It’s a very difficult situation and we need assistance. But the DEM has assured me that she would be comingtomorrow,” he added.

DEM Martha Magreta Sineta confirmed that she had been briefed about the incident.

“Opening of the school will depend on how fast the blocks would be repaired,” she said.

Chairperson of the school management committee, Edson Jere, concurred with the head teacher.

Just 10 metres away from the school, several houses were also damaged as a result of the heavy rains.