Kasungu water problem worsens, residents to protest

Water problems in Kasungu Municipality have reached crisis levels with many households experiencing dry taps for weeks, a development that has prompted the residents to plan a protest on December 20.

The residents, represented by a grouping called Kasungu citizens and Kasungu Civil Society Network, said they have been engaging Central Region Water Board (CRWB) since June this year, but the situation has been worsening.

CRWB spokesperson Zeferino Mitumba acknowledged the water challenges, saying Chitete Dam, the town’s main water source, has dried up and Ngulu ya Nawambe, the secondary dam, has little water to cater for the municipality.

He, however, said CRWB identified sites to drill six boreholes to avert the water challenge. Mitumba said the drilling is expected to start today.

“I am forced to buy a few five-litre bottles of water every day for cooking and drinking. As for bathing water, we are fetching it from muddy wells,” complained Chimwemwe Malopa, a resident near Kasungu Dam.

Kasungu Citizens representative Medrick Kaluluma said almost everything has been affected by the current water situation.

“School children are failing to attend classes as they are spending most of their time fetching water,” he said.

In September this year, CRWB unveiled plans to construct a 31.2 square kilometre (25m deep) dam to supply water to Kasungu, Mponela in Dowa and other districts.n