Thirty-eight families have been displaced and crops washed away in Zomba after Phalombe River burst its banks following incessant rains last week.
Most affected are group village headmen Magoli and Kathebwe in Traditional Authority Mwambo along the boundary with Phalombe and a few kilometres from Lake Chilwa.
A Nation Online visit to the area on Thursday afternoon found that maize and chillies have been swept away, some houses have collapsed while those still standing are surrounded by water.
The displaced families are taking refuge at Step to Jesus Church in the area, but the number is expected to rise after the authorities assess the damage.
Magoli said the problem is a result of the overflow of Phalombe River which damaged a dyke people in the area constructed last year as one way of disaster prevention.
“We are in need of assistance because as you can see this place has one toilet against a large number of people. There is also no borehole for safe drinking water, food and clothing,” he said.
Zomba district commissioner Harry Phiri expressed fears that the remaining part of the dyke could fall off if the rains continue.
