Council authorities have retaliated its plea for the public to desist from settling in disaster prone areas.

The plea follows reports that over five hundred households have been damaged by flush floods in Mzuzu.

Precious Mandala disaster desk officer for Mzuzu City said the affected households have varying degree of damage with other houses having their walls completely damaged while others have registered minimal damage.

Meanwhile, Mandala has appealed to the general public to adhere to the council’s directive on issues of construction of homes and as well desist from settling in disaster prone areas so as to minimize impacts of future disasters.