5 still missing after disaster

Five people who went missing after the April 2019 Tcharo Disaster in Rumphi East are yet to be found.

In an interview, Rumphi district disaster risk management desk officer Alufeyo Mhango said they were yet to find the missing persons.

“We are not sure whether they are under the rubble or the water. We have engaged the community to report to us if they notice anything in the water or under the rubble.

“You may recall that last year, 15 people drowned around the same area and their bodies were never recovered,” he said.

Earlier, Mhango said  the place, which had heavy rocks, would require heavy machinery to remove them and conduct an underground search.

However, it is difficult to get the machinery to Tcharo, an area only accessible by water.

Meanwhile, Rumphi district commissioner Fred Movete has said his office will be engaging the affected communities on resettlement

The five are Alenzi Kondowe, One,  Frarley Kondowe, six, Stargate Kondowe, 10, Rhoda Msiska, 35, and Joyce Nyachingati Nyirenda, 46, all from Sub-Traditional Authority (ST/A) Chapinduka in the district, according to records.

They are believed to have been buried under huge rocks that slid from Mphompha Hills due to a heavy downpour.

The heavy rains on Saturday, April 20 2019, were accompanied by strong winds which also blew off roofs of some houses and churches while running water and the rocks ravaged several houses.

The incident killed three people and injured nine others.