Chief Kilupula has asked government to quickly fix a bridge damaged by floods that affected 330 households in Karonga North last month.
Heavy rains severely damaged homes, overhead power lines and Changwina Bridge, which offers 13 villages access to Kasantha market, health centre and schools.
On Saturday, Minister of Homeland Security Nicholas Dausi visited the disaster zone and donated relief items.
Kilupula called for quick action in response to “one of the worst floods” in his area.
“With Changwina Bridge damaged, people from areas like Mulindwafa cannot transport goods to the market. It is even more difficult if we have a patient in need of emergency assistance. I hope government will quickly come in to reconstruct the bridge,” he said.
In response, Dausi said the Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure will fix the bridge soon.
He also called on flood-prone households to move to safer places.
“These floods are causing a lot of pain and suffering to people and we still appeal for support. The focus now is that we need to construct houses that are strong and in places that are not prone,” he said.
Recent floods in 15 districts affected 868 900 people, leaving 86 980 displaced, 60 dead and 672 injured.
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) requires K33.5 billion ($45.2 million) for the national response to floods, but government has only received K10.8 billion ($14.6 million) in contributions and pledges from across the globe.
Recently, the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres appealed to international agencies to help meet the K22.6 billion ($30.6 million) shortfall. n
