Private Observer

 OVER 278,000 ACRES OF CROP FIELDS AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS

Over 278,000 acres of crop fields has been adversely affected by the floods being experienced in the country, parliament has heard. 

And 4 dams have been breached while another 68 are on the verge of being breached due to their compromised structural integrity.                                                        

Delivering a ministerial statement on the extent of the damage caused by the floods today, Vice President Mutale Nalumango said over 373, 000 people representing over 62,000 households have been affected by the calamity.                                              

The Vice President has revealed over 1.5 million animals have been affected by the floods, with 2,881 cattle dying in Southern province from tick disease due to flooding of deep tanks will 55 have  drowned.                                                  

And Mrs. Nalumango says the floods have further claimed 8 human lives, 4 in Mushindamo, 3 in Lusaka and 1 in Sinazongwe district.  The Vice President has disclosed that over 94 road infrastructure has been damaged or washed away.                     

She has expressed concerned that most causes of flooding especially in urban areas in the country are man-made.

 And Mrs. Nalumango has disclosed that over 200,000 flood victims are in need immediate flood relief which the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit is providing with another over 160,000 needing water supply.                        

 She says over 7000 people have been displaced across the country while over 1000 have integrated with over 3000 learners are unable to access schools in some flooded areas.

Meanwhile, the Lusaka City Council Department of fire brigades working with the Zambia Airforce and Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit has started the process of identifying places that are highly affected with floods for possible relocation of residents.