Business has been brought to a standstill following a two day rainstorm in Lusangazi District, Eastern province.

The two day rainstorm which started on 

13th,November 2024, left a one by three classroom block at Kalumbi Primary school and about 10 houses in Kalumbi area completely destroyed.

The said structures’ roofs were blown off due to heavy rains. 
Kalumbi Primary school runs from early childhood to grade 7 and has 275 learners.
ZANIS reports that, Kalumbi Primary School Head teacher, Ruth Thole, confirmed  that the rains started around 18:00hours up to 21:00 hours and characterised with strong winds. 

Disclosing that her school has two one by three classroom blocks, Ms Thole bemoaned that  the facility is now left with one classroom block to be used by learners.
 She said it was now difficult to conduct learning as there was not enough space for pupils to learn from after the disaster. 
Ms Thole further disclosed that five houses for teachers which were built by the community have also been damaged by the rains leaving some teachers with no accommodation. 
“Our appeal to government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit is to come to the aid of the school as soon as possible,” she said. 
And Tivwalanji Phiri, one of the affected residents, said the heavy rains destroyed most of the household goods.. 
Ms Phiri added that since 2009 , she has been living there with her husband aged over 80 years old together with their grandchildren. 
She  said mealie meal  among other food stuff stored were destroyed hence appealing to well-wishers to assist them with food 
” I want to appeal to the government to help my family as both me and my husband are old and have nowhere to go, ” She said. 
Another resident Joseph Phiri said the rains destroyed a number of houses, shops and churches in Kalumbi village. 
Mr Phiri said most iron sheets which came out of various structures cannot be used again despite picking them.

And Lusangazi District Disaster Management Coordinator, Tanniah  Ndlhovu, sympathised with affected families assuring them of government’s immediate support.
 Ms Ndlhovu said the DMMU will soon get to the area to assess the extent of the damage while providing emergency humanitarian support to affected individuals and families..