Property owners along Lake Malawi shores in Likoma District have complained of loss of business as their premises have been submerged in water due to rising levels of water in the lake.
In an interview on Thursday, Aldwin Mtembezeka, who owns Club Aldwin along the lake shore said his business has greatly been affected, as access to the club has been reduced due to the water levels.
Mtembezeka added that they are creating alternative routes to the club, saying they have made some sand bags and are finding ways to drain water.
Another one, the owner of Pangani Zanu Rest House at Jalo Trading Centre, Bridget Patel, said she was no longer earning income from her business as the rest house has been rendered inhabitable.
District Commissioner (DC) for Likoma, Abubakar Nkhoma, said since March 2023, the water level in Lake Malawi has been rising due to heavy rains that have come due to the effects of Cyclone Freddy and inter tropical convergence zone.
Nkhoma said the situation has a negative effect on both infrastructure and crops to the extent that some people will not harvest.
