Heavy rains, floods kill 3, cut roads

Floods induced by heavy rains have killed three people, washed away bridges and roads, including part of the M5 that connects Salima to Blantyre, rendering them impassable.

Authorities said in separate interviews yesterday three people from Dowa Central Constituency died on Saturday after being washed away while trying to cross flooded rivers.

Dowa district commissioner Stallichi Mwambiwa said besides the three deaths, the floods that affected part of Mponela Trading Centre and areas under Senior Chief Msakambewa also washed away crops, cut roads and washed away bridges on rural roads.

He said: “I am on the ground right now. The floods have indeed affected a number of villages and there are three confirmed deaths.

“Major damages are on crops and many bridges have been damaged. We have never seen such damage in recent years.”

Mwambiwa said the council has engaged the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), seeking support for the affected households whose properties, including crops have been washed away.

Meanwhile, Dowa Central legislator Darlington Harawa has called for immediate relief items, including food, shelter and farm inputs.

He said over 500 households have had their crop fields washed away.

“There will be need for immediate response. Children use these roads to go to school,” Harawa added.

Meanwhile, the rains have also washed away part of the Lakeshore Road, also known as M5, that connects Salima to M1, leading to the closure of the road at Mwalawoyera between Balaka Market and Golomoti Road about 24 kilometres from the M1 junction.

“Efforts are being made to restore access as soon as possible. Motorists are being advised to use alternative routes,” a notice issued by the Roads Authority reads in part.

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has since warned that the country would continue receiving heavy rains, triggering flash floods.

The disasters that included stormy rains, winds, hailstorms and lightning had affected Balaka, Chiladzulu, Dowa, among others.

On January 9, 2024 Dodma indicated that disasters had affected about 21 379 people since October 2023 and five people were reported killed by lightning. —Additional reporting by GEORGE SINGINI, Staff Reporter.