The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has successfully evacuated 54 flood victims from Kamwala area in Lumezi District, Eastern Province, following flooding of the Lundazi River which occurred five days ago.
The affected individuals had been stranded across the river, where they were undertaking agricultural activities, and were unable to cross back to their permanent residences due to elevated water levels.
The evacuation exercise was conducted with the support of the Zambia Air Force, whose aircraft made four trips to safely transport the victims and their personal belongings to Chiweza area in Kazembe Ward.
Meanwhile, the floods have left 127 households homeless after their houses collapsed due to heavy rainfall experienced in recent days.
The displaced households are currently camped at Kazembe Primary School, where DMMU, in collaboration with cooperating partners, is providing food and non-food relief items.
Other affected families in nearby villages such as Chimalilo, Saili and Bodola are being accommodated in temporary shelters within their communities.
DMMU has commenced the distribution of relief supplies, including food and essential non-food items, to affected households.
In addition, a local businessman from Lundazi, Mr. Aliboo, has generously donated 100 bags of 25kg mealie meal to support flood victims in Lumezi District.
Preliminary assessments indicate that flooding originated upstream in Lundazi District, where critical infrastructure has been damaged. Downstream, the floods have resulted in the collapse of houses, destruction of crop fields, and extensive siltation, with farmlands buried under sand.
DMMU continues to monitor the situation closely and is working with line ministries, the Zambia Air Force, and cooperating partners to ensure the safety and welfare of affected communities.
(c) DMMU