Move to safer places, Zomba DC tells communities

 Zomba district commissioner Reinghard Chavula has urged communities living in disaster-prone areas to relocate to safe places.

She said this on Saturday following incessant rains the district has been receiving since last Monday.

Chavula said in accordance with the weather forecasts the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services announced, Zomba is one of the districts likely to experience flash floods.

“If people relocate in time to upland areas, it will save lives and property,” she said.

Chavula said the council through chiefs and civil protection committees is advocating for the relocation of communities in flood-prone areas.

“The money used in disaster response and recovery can be channelled to other projects; hence, it is important for communities living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer places,” she said.

 Chisi village development committee chairperson James Majawa said most communities on the island already left for safer places after Cyclone Freddy destroyed their property in March 2023.

He said those remaining were planning to leave as it is difficult to support communities on the island during disasters.

“It is difficult to peddle canoes to Kachulu Port or Mpsupsu Trading Centre to buy food when water levels rise in the lake. Therefore, the islanders are prepared to leave to avoid casualties,” said Majawa.

Group village head Nkawa from Thondwe in Senior Chief Mlumbe said some communities have started relocating to safer places.

“We will not relent until everyone moves to safe places before floods hit,” he said