Ground Report

Floods displace over 200 ,kills 3 Floods in Southern Malawi in the district of Chikwawa have displaced over 200 people killing three people in the process after Shire and Mwanza rivers overflowed. According to the acting district commissioner for Chikwawa Lowford Phalani, crops have been washed away saying over 200 houses have been destroyed. He said 24 families have been affected and have nothing to eat. He said the government is still assessing the loss and has already come in to help the flood victims. In November last year storms and rains displaced over 600 people and damaged houses and property of people. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi are presently experiencing much rains. This has caused floods which has swept gardens of people and killed animals. Already some people have died as a result of these floods. In Mozambique it has been reported that up to 250,000 remain vulnerable, with more rainfall expected and the lower Zambezi Valley being flooded by water from the Cahora Bassa dam. In Zambia three thousand people are affected in Mazabuka District and 2,200 people were affected in Sinazongwe District It is also reported that there is severe damage to maize and cash crops due to water-logging and washing away of plants. Weather experts are saying it is because of global warming. Weather events are becoming less predictable and more intense – heavier rainfall and longer and more frequent drought cycles.