Flood victims in Nkhotakota are facing delays in receiving food and other essential supplies after heavy rains damaged the Lakeshore Road (M5), cutting off access to displacement camps, according to Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma). Dodma Commissioner Wilson Moleni said only one out of nine camps set up in the district has so far received relief items. We have relief items ready, but we cannot deliver them to the camps,” said Moleni, adding that Dodma is exploring the use of Malawi Defence Force (MDF) boats to ferry food from Salima to Nkhotakota.
He said while MDF boats have eased search and rescue operations, the scale of humanitarian needs has overwhelmed the department, prompting an appeal to well-wishers for support. The Roads Authority (RA) has attributed the access challenges to extensive flood damage on the M5, a key route to lakeshore districts. RA chief executive officer Ammiel Champiti said nine sections of the road, including bridges and road stretches, were washed away by floods that affected 18 districts.
“M5 is currently not accessible because several sites were damaged. Works have started in places such as Dwangwa and Mwansambo, but progress is slow due to high water levels and ongoing rains,” said Champiti. He said the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is repairing the damaged sections one site at a time.
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Champiti said repair works on the M1 in Kasungu are progressing, with the road open to small vehicles and full access is expected by today. Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) said the threat of intense rainfall is easing. MET director Lucy Mtilatila said most areas will experience a temporary break in widespread rains from today, with normal rainfall patterns expected to resume around January 6. According to Dodma, as of yesterday (January 1), floods had affected over 1 000 households, representing more than 42 000 people, damaging homes and property in councils, including Nkhotakota, Salima, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Zomba City and Likoma.
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