Villages in Kabbe South and North constituencies flooded

KATIMA MULILO, 02 MAY  – More villages in the Kabbe South and North constituencies in the Zambezi Region have been flooded as the Zambezi River continues to rise.
By Tuesday, the level of the river stood at 7,10 metres. Last year, the river stopped rising when it reached 6,64 metres by 15 April.
The river is fed with water from north-eastern Angola, southern Democratic Republic of Congo, and north-western Zambia.
The latest villages affected are Izimwe and Nakabolelwa, while residents of Lisikili and Kalimbeza continue to relocate to higher grounds.
Kalimbeza Village Headman, Thomas Sabuta told Nampa on Wednesday floods are an annual occurrence, but they did not expect the water to flood the village.
“The water flows faster at night and by sunrise, most houses are flooded,” he said, adding that some residents have decided to stay in their flooded homes.
Sabuta stressed that the situation is worsening on a daily basis and it has become difficult to relocate the elderly who cannot walk.
The villages are surrounded by water and are inaccessible apart from canoes.
He said the last time the Kalimbeza village was flooded forcing people to relocate was in 2009.
On Monday, regional councillors from all eight constituencies of the region visited flood-prone areas along Namalubi, Lisikili and Isize.
They also visited the Nakabolelwa and Izimwe villages to see the extent and impact of the floods. Several communities there are affected and need tents, food and ablution facilities.
The Isize-Luhonono road that is under construction was washed away at some parts close to the Sifuha village.
The Izimwe-Nakabolelwa road was also damaged by flood waters and if the water continues to flow this week, many parts of the same road could be swept away.
The Ngoma-Ioma road in the Katima Rural Constituency has also been swept away at more than two places.
Meanwhile, the Isuswa Primary School, situated 5 kilometres south of Ngoma, has been cut from the rest of the region after the road leading to the school was washed away last week.
Zambezi Regional Council Chairperson, Beaven Munali, told this agency on Wednesday that Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer Conrad Lutombi was due to meet the regional council of Zambezi on Wednesday on the way forward.

NAMPA