OVER 30 houses in Chilubi district have collapsed following heavy rains and winds caused by cyclone Chido.
Chilubi District Commissioner Risto Mushembe who confirmed the incident to ZANIS explained that the heavy rains and winds which occurred on 17th December caused havoc not only to houses but other properties as well.
Mr Mushembe explained that over 250 households have had their maize, rice, cassava fields and household goods destroyed.
“I want to confirm that some houses were completely brought down while others had their roofs blown off by the heavy rains,” said Mr Mushembe.
Mr Mushembe, in the company of officials from government departments among them the Ministry of Agriculture and Zambia police, yesterday (December 18, 2024), went on the ground after reports of destruction emerged, to ascertain the extent of the damage.
The District Commissioner said that Kawena and Ng’uni wards had been heavily affected by the heavy rains and winds.
Mr Mushembe explained that institutional houses have equally been affected.
He narrated that a house and toilet at Chinungwe primary school had their roof blown off adding that iron sheets from roofs of toilets at Kawena clinic were also blown off during the downpour.
“Some institutional houses were affected, we had one house at Chinungwe primary school affected and iron sheets from roofs of toilets at Kawena clinic were blown off,” Mr Mushembe explained.
Mr Mushembe further disclosed that ZESCO pole lines delivering power to Santa Maria Island were also brought down.
Solar panels under the Tralard sub project in Kawena ward owned by a cooperative were damaged, disrupting production activities of the cooperative.
Meanwhile, Evarasia Muma, one of the affected, has appealed to the government to assist all the affected families.
Ms Muma said she has no shelter and food following the destruction of her house by the heavy rains.
“I would like to appeal to the government to come to our aid, the heavy rains have left a trail of destruction, some of which do not even have food and shelter,” she said.
