DoDMA Urged to Expedite River Dredging to Prevent Rainy Season Havoc
Concerns have risen as the approaching rainy season threatens the livelihoods and safety of residents in the district.
NSANJE, Malawi - The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) is facing increasing pressure to accelerate the dredging of rivers in Nsanje, a region prone to flooding during the rainy season, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
Concerns have risen as the approaching rainy season threatens the livelihoods and safety of residents in the district.
During an interview with AfricaBrief on Saturday, Member of Parliament for Nsanje South West, Euritta Ntiza Valeta, voiced her frustration over the lack of progress in river dredging in the area.
She highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, "It is unfortunate that up to date none of the rivers in her area have been dredged, such as Nyamadzere, Nyachipere, and Nyankotola, just to name but a few."
Valeta expressed her concern for communities in Mtemangawa, Therere, Ndenguma, and Nthole, which are frequently affected by floods.
She warned, "Most people are yet to be assisted, and there are fears that they might be affected by floods this rainy period if rivers are not dredged."
Highlighting the dire circumstances faced by her constituents, Valeta noted that many residents had lost their crops due to the floods and were now struggling to find enough food to eat.
As a response, she urged DoDMA to consider providing relief maize to the affected people until March next year.
The Commissioner for DoDMA, Charles Kalemba, acknowledged the situation and assured residents that action was being taken.
He confirmed the presence of dredging machines in the district and expressed confidence that the targeted rivers would be addressed promptly.
Kalemba stated, "I was told that the machines were in Nsanje, and without a doubt, they will reach out to the areas that are annually hit by floods."
Kalemba further explained that the Ministry of Water and Sanitation is actively working on resolving the issue.
He reassured residents that the rivers in question would receive the necessary attention to mitigate the flood risk before the rainy season commences.
With the rainy season looming, the Nsanje community remains hopeful that the authorities will expedite the river dredging efforts to prevent the devastating consequences of flooding in the region.