Traditional Authority Malemia of Nsanje District has expressed concern about lack of plans from duty-bearers to construct a dyke along Nyamadzere River ahead of the rainy season.
As part of efforts to mitigate the impact of future flooding, the chief said in an interview on Tuesday that he secured about 1 000 tree seedlings from First Vice-President Jane Ansah to be planted along the river banks when the National Forestry Season start in December.
“I believe trees will reduce the speed of water run-off from the river into villages. I am also encouraging people who live near the rivers to plant trees,” said Malemia.
Besides Nyamadzere, other river banks earmarked for tree-planting exercises are Ngoni, Chimwala, Nyanjiwa and Gandale.
Nsanje South West legislator Walter Nyamilandu Manda (Democratic Progressive Party) also expressed concern about the lack of plans for safeguarding people from impending floods in the area.
He said constructing a dyke along Nyamadzere River requires massive capital which is beyond the resources under the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund can support.
Malemia Area Disaster Risk Management Committee chairperson Anold Benn said they are doing everything they can for people not to be affected by floods.
“For short-term plans, we are preparing for evacuation and safe shelters for the disaster. For long-term plans, we are empowering people to plant trees along Nyamadzere River and others,” he said.
Benn said they are lobbying duty-bearers to construct dykes and drainage systems along the banks of Nyamadzere River
