Flash Floods Displace 250 Families And Destroy Crops

More than 250 families have been displaced from their homes in Lusangazi District, Eastern Province, after flash flooding ripped through the valleys, submerging crops and leaving many without access to food. 

Agriculture authorities say they fear the widespread crop damage may lead to lasting hunger in the region. 

In total an estimated 89 hectares of maize, 53 hectares of soya bean, 15 hectares of sunflower and 12 hectares of groundnut fields were destroyed by the floods.

The district agriculture coordinator, Friday Sikombe, has reported that some areas, including Chiwale and Chikowa, are completely cut off by road. 

Mr Sikombe has recommended that farmers in the area now switch to planting rice as a more suitable crop for the waterlogged conditions. 

Meanwhile, Lusangazi District Commissioner Goodwin Sekelani Phiri has promised that the government will provide tents and food relief via the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). 

He said some of these supplies might need to be airlifted in by helicopter as the flooding has made many affected areas unreachable. 

Mr Phiri has advised residents to consider relocating to higher ground in order to avoid similar disasters in the future. 

Lusungazi residents escape the torrential flood waters