Chikwawa District Council has secured 34 hectares of land for people in flood-prone areas to move upland.

In an interview, Chikwawa district commissioner (DC) Ali Phiri said three villages will be moved to the area in Traditional Authority (T/A) Ngabu located about five kilometres from Nchalo Trading Centre.

Floods affected most parts of the Shire Valley in February

While not disclosing the size of the land, he said the council is purchasing the land from a private businessperson.

The displaced from flood-prone areas around Matsukambiya and Kanseche, both in T/A Lundu and Chikuse Village in T/A Makhuwira, wrote the council that they would want to relocate to safer places.

About 10 villages have already moved voluntarily after their chiefs mobilised funds to buy land.

“We talk of chiefs such as village head Samson who agreed with his subjects and sold cattle and goats to buy land,” said Phiri.

The DC said the council is mobilising non-governmental organisations to help in making available social amenities in the new settlements and provide seeds to the villages for replanting.

According to Phiri, all households in the new settlements will be put on social cash transfer.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula described the voluntary relocation as apositive development.

He said councils have a responsibility to ensure that there are social amenities in the new settlements.

“It’s good that it is coming from the people themselves, as Dodma, we will make sure we support them,” said Khamula.

Tropical Storm Ana-induced floods displaced 32 935 households that sought refuge in 178 camps in 13 affected districts.

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