Rains cut off M5 diversion in Nkhotakota

Incessant rains in Nkhotakota have caused flooding that has washed away a diversion constructed at the damaged Nkoma Bridge, disconnecting the southern part of the district from Nkhata Bay and Mzuzu.

Nkhotakota district commissioner Ben Tonho confirmed the development in an interview yesterday, saying they have notified Roads Authority (RA) of the situation and hoped that the authority would work on fixing the damage.

“It has been raining heavily in the past three or four days. The rains have washed away the soil that was pressed there temporarily to aid motorists crossing the section,” said Tonho.

He said the development meant that the southern side of Nkhotakota cannot connect with the northern part.

Tonho said the situation has also affected efforts to transport relief items from the south of the district to camps in the north. He said the north has about three or four relief camps.

He said: “Similarly, relief items coming from Mzuzu cannot go through to the southern part of Nkhotakota. They have to use the Mzuzu-Kasungu-Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Road.

“This brings us back to logistical problems when it comes to relief items reaching out to everyone, as well as, general travel on the M5. However, other camps are accessible and delivery of relief items will proceed.”

RA chief executive officer Ammiel Champiti said the diversion at Nkoma Bridge is still work in progress.

He, however, could not state the date of completion, saying the work is likely to take more time.

For permanent structures, Champiti explained that they were yet to do designs on the bridge, adding that the cost is still unknown.

Earlier this month, RA said it had started fixing sections of the Lakeshore Road, also known as M5, that were washed away by floods that hit the district.