Heavy rains wreak havoc in Mchinji
Heavy storms have damaged houses and property worth hundreds of thousands of kwacha in 23 villages in Mchinji District.
The rains, which started on Tuesday through Thursday last week, have affected about 200 households in traditional authorities (T/As) Zulu, Simphasi, Mduwa, Kapondo, Mavwere and Mkanda.
The most affected villages are Chaphuka, Kamange, Chikafumbwa, and Chetambala where roofs of houses, mostly grass thatched, and others with iron sheets were blown away.
When Malawi News Agency (Mana) visited the affected areas on Thursday with the Mchinji district commissioner (DC) Richard Hara and other district council officials, iron sheets were seen stuck in trees while a school block at Chioko Primary School had its rooftop blown away.
Some families were seen renovating their houses while others, whose houses were completely destroyed, were sitting helplessly outside with their property.
Mchinji West member of Parliament (MP) Billy Kanjira Banda, whose constituency was also affected, visited the families with T/A Simphasi to assess the damage.
He said about 65 families are in need of help.
Said Banda: “When I visited some families, I saw that some households had their maize flour and bags of fertilizer damaged by the rains. These people need help and I have asked government and other well-wishers to assist them with food stuffs and roofing materials.”
Mchinji District Council director of planning and development Justine Kathumba said the council is still assessing the damage, adding that they will release a report on the extent of the damage soon. n
