As one of the precaution measures to avoid the recurrence of the last year’s flooding which left over 170 people dead in seven districts, Government through Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has warned of heavy floods in Central and Southern Regions due to heavy rains expected this week.

This has been disclosed in a statement from the Office of Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services released on January 25, 2016 signed by Chief Director for Irrigation and Water Development Mr. Sandram C. Y. Maweru.

According to the statement, the forecast indicates that there will be enhanced rainfall over the Centre and South on Tuesday and thereafter widespread and heavy rains during the next few days.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development would, therefore, like to warn the general public that there is a likelihood of flooding in low lying flood prone areas in Central and Southern Regions, especially areas along lower reaches of Shire, Ruo and Mwanza rivers in the Lower Shire Valley, Domasi, Thondwe and Likangala rivers in Zomba district, Phalombe River in Phalombe district and rivers in the lakeshore districts of Nkhotakota, Salima, Mangochi and Dedza (especially Mtakataka) and Luvulezi-Bwanje Valley in Ntcheu district,” reads in part the statement.

The Ministry has advised the general public and people living around and along these said rivers to be on guard and not drive or walk through flooded areas.

“People should be especially careful at night when it is nearly impossible to tell the depth of floodwaters. People who have settled too close to river channels, especially in the Lower Shire Valley, are advised to move to higher ground,” adds the statement.