M5 bridge going…going…almost gone

Torrential rains in the Northern Region have left Kawiya Bridge in Nkhata Bay almost collapsing, posing a threat to travellers on the Lakeshore Road. The bridge (above) near Chintheche Trading Centre on the M5 Road is slowly being cut off by steady soil erosion. Nkhata Bay Police spokesperson Ignatius Esau urged motorists to exercise caution to avoid accidents. In an interview, Ministry of Transport and Public Works spokesperson James Chakwera said government will assess the extent of the damage before rectifying it. “With the ongoing rains, many roads have been affected because most of them are old. Even Lilongwe has been affected,” he said. –MARTHA CHIRAMBO, STAFF REPORTER