Ministry warns against flooding of rivers, calls for caution

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Ministry of Water and Sanitation through the Department of Water Resources has cautioned against high water levels in most major rivers of Central and Southern region of the country which will lead to flooding.

In a press statement released on Friday,the department has confirmed that between 15th and 21st December, 2024, the country may experience heavy rain which will cause the flooding of rivers.

“This flooding will be caused by anticipated heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Chido which has developed in the Indian Ocean as forecasted by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS),”reads the statement.

The statement states that, the Ministry’s flood forecasting models indicate that rivers that include Nkula, Linthipe, Lingadzi, Lipimbi, Lifidzi,Nadziphuru, Livulezi, Nasolo, Mudi, Lilongwe, Diamphwe, Likangala, Thondwe, Namadzi, Phalombe, Namphende, Sombani, Likhubula, Mwanza, Lisungwi, Mkulumadzi, Mkombedzi wa Fodya, Nyachipere, Thangadzi and Thuchira are likely to experience high water levels between the forecasted period.

Meanwhile the ministry has warned people to refrain from settling in and crossing the flooded rivers and streams and to be alert when visiting these areas.

The communities along some of the mentioned rivers are also advised to utilise the Community-Based Flood Early Warning Systems (CBFEWS) installed to prevent loss of life due to the expected floods.