By Burnett Munthali
Strong winds accompanied by light rain have caused significant damage in Neno District, affecting several homes and structures, including an SDA Church, in the area under Group Village Head Chasesa in Senior Chief Mlauli’s jurisdiction. The disaster occurred on the night of November 6, 2024, leaving residents grappling with damaged property and power outages.
Neno District Council’s Disaster Officer, Brighton Mphinga, confirmed the incident, stating that “Strong winds accompanied with very light rains damaged houses and other properties last night.” While Mphinga indicated that a comprehensive report is forthcoming, initial assessments suggest extensive damage to roofs and other structures, with many homes left vulnerable to further weather elements.
The SDA Church in the area was notably impacted, and images from the scene depict the church’s structure bearing visible signs of damage from the storm. In addition to the structural harm, electricity supply in both Mwanza and Neno was disrupted as a result of the high winds, affecting households, businesses, and public services across the districts.
The incident has raised concerns about preparedness and resilience in the face of severe weather events, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure is limited. Local authorities are expected to conduct a full assessment and coordinate with disaster relief teams to assist the affected communities. In the meantime, residents are calling for urgent repairs and support to recover from the disaster’s impact.
As the rainy season approaches, communities in the area have expressed heightened worry, fearing that similar weather patterns could bring more extensive damage in the coming months. Authorities are likely to use this incident as a case study to improve readiness and mitigate risks in vulnerable districts like Neno.
