Communities in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimombo in Nsanje have asked authorities to drill boreholes in their area.
The hard-to-reach area has one borehole at Msamba Irrigation Scheme constructed by Churches Action in Relief and Development.
However, many villages in the area get water from unclean sources.
Christina Botso, a community member, said seven villages, namely Msamba I and II, Botso I and II, Chindikano I and II and Bwerezani drink water from Nyachipere River.
“Besides the water being unclean during the rainy season, the river is located far away from the villages,” she said.
Botso said women are tired of travelling long distances to fetch water and have since asked authorities to construct more boreholes in the area.
Chief Chimombo said water challenges pose a threat of water-borne diseases.
“I ask stakeholders implementing water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in the district to consider my area,” he said.
Nsanje district water development officer John Chilapula admitted the water challenge in T/A Chimombo.
But he said the World Bank through Contingency Emergency Recovery Component has given the council K240 million as part of Cyclone Idai recovery.
He said the council has also received K40 million from Malawi Drought Recovery Resilience Programme.
“We will construct 10 boreholes in each constituency with funds from World Bank and two boreholes in each constituency with funds from Malawi Drought Recovery Resilience Programme,” said Chilapula.
