FAMILIES HOMELESS AS OVER 20 HOUSES COLLAPSE

MORE than 20 houses in Musakanya ward of Mpika Central Constituency have collapsed due to flooding.

Musakanya ward councillor Kesbat Mwandya said people in the affected areas had been experiencing floods since the start of the rain season due to the poor drainage system and the on-going construction of Mpika Dual carriage way.

‘‘The situation here in Musakanya ward in Mpika central is very bad, so far I have received reports of over 20 houses that have collapsed and people have been left homeless,’’ Mr Mwandya said.

“I am told some affected families are sleeping in the cold while others have been accommodated by their neighbours,” said. Mr Mwandya said no fatalities had been recorded but that victims had since been advised to engage the social welfare office for assistance. Mr Mwandya named the affected areas as Kamwanya, Kabuta, Chitulika Section One, among others. Mr Mwandya said some household goods including stalled food have also gone to waste due to floods that have engulfed the area.

Mr Mwandya has appealed to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to come to the aid of Musakanya ward residents and other affected areas that have been left homeless.

‘‘I would also like to appeal to Long Gian Roads and Bridges Construction Company the Chinese contractor working on the Mpika dual carriage way to construct a fallow to control the flow of water so that it does not go into people’s homes,’’ he said.

Mr Mwandya has appealed to Chitulika residents to quickly report incidences of houses collapsing to his office so that he could submit a comprehensive report to the district disaster management committee.

‘‘I will be going round the affected areas once again with other officials to ascertain the extent of damage, I therefore appeal to victims that have not reported to quickly report so we can a complete a report for submission for possible support from government,” he said.