Malawi: The Ministry of Water and Sanitation has warned of an imminent threat of riverine floods in the country. The announcement was made through James Chitete. The reason for the alert is the incessant rains in the country during the season.
Meanwhile, the people of the country have been advised to take precautions to protect themselves
The administration of the country has been witnessing a rise in water levels across the nation’s major rivers. The authorities believe that the rise in water level is due to the weather in the country.
James Chitete, Director of Water Resources in the ministry, called upon the public to exercise extreme caution. Especially, he urged them to be careful when crossing rivers or engaging in any activities within water bodies.
Chitete’s statement emphasises the heightened risk in rivers such as Lilongwe, Linthipe, and Likhubula, among others, which are identified as the most susceptible to causing floods.
Furthermore, the National Water Resources Authority has officially reported that Lake Malawi is experiencing an unprecedented rise in water level.
The water levels in Lake Malawi have surged by an alarming 52 percent, breaking a record set 12 years ago.
The authorities of Malawi have shared that their concern for the safety of the people. The months starting in November and ending in April are characterized as the wet months in Malawi.
The months will feature heavy rains, leading to increased chances of floods in various parts of the country. The administration is drawing on the experiences of the previous years, where the floods displaced hundreds of families from their homes.
In the Mzuzu city, hundreds of homes were destroyed due to flash floods in 2021, some of these houses completely collapsed, while others developed serious cracks in the structure.
The disaster management authorities of Malawi are also urging the residents of the flood-prone areas to be careful. The people have appreciated the timely communication on the part of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.