Floods hit Karonga

Floods have displaced families and destroyed hectares of crops in Karonga.

According to Karonga District Commissioner Richard Hara, the development occurred on Wednesday morning in the area of group village headman Mwenilupembe, Traditional Authority Kyungu.

Hara said the heavy stormy rain resulted into the flooding of Bwaye River.

Speaking to journalists, Karonga District Commissioner Richard Hara said they are still assessing exact figure of the affected families and hectares of crops.

“One person had died while four others are battling for their lives at the hospital after being hit by lightening within the same hours in the area.The deceased is an 11 year old child who hailed from group village headman Mwenilupembe in the same traditional authority,” explained Hara

While concurring with Hara, Member of Parliament for the area Frank Mwenifumbo called for an immediate assistance from government and well wishers in terms of temporary accommodation, food and health services.

Mwenifumbo said “the affected community needs strong attention from the health officials to prevent the spread of cholera outbreak which has already hit the district.”

Meanwhile, officials from the district council have appealed to people leaving around the flood prone areas to relocate to the upper land.

Karonga is one of the flood prone districts in the country.

Last year, thousands of families, hectares of crops and hundreds of livestock were affected by floods.