GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKES EMERGENCY DEFLOODING WORKS IN MAKENI VILLA WARD 14, KANYAMA CONSTITUENCY

 

Government has undertaken urgent emergency deflooding works in Makeni Villa Ward 14, Kanyama Constituency, following reports of widespread flooding that resulted in several households being inundated by flood waters.

Lusaka Provincial Administration Principal Public Relations Officer Logic Lukwanda says in response to the reported crisis, the Permanent Secretary for Lusaka Province, Eng. Joe Kalusa, led a high-level, multi-sectoral emergency response team to the affected area to assess the situation on the ground and institute immediate remedial measures.

Mr. Lukwanda says the team included senior officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), the Lusaka District Administration, the Lusaka City Council, and the Zambia National Service (ZNS).

Also present were the area Member of Parliament, Monty Chinkuli, the Area Councillor, Mr. Fred Mumba, and other local leaders.

He says following technical assessments conducted jointly with ZNS and Lusaka City Council engineers, the response team identified several man-made obstructions—particularly wall fences and other structures that had been constructed along natural waterways—which were impeding the free flow of storm water and exacerbating flooding in the area.

Mr. Lukwanda says these critical blockages were immediately earmarked for demolition in the interest of public safety.

He says upon removal of the identified obstructions, there was an immediate and noticeable reduction in flood water levels, providing relief to the affected households.

Mr. Lukwanda says the Permanent Secretary further directed ZNS and the engineering teams to ensure that all diverted flood waters were safely channelled into designated outer perimeter drainage systems, in order to prevent secondary flooding and protect downstream communities.

He has reassured members of the public that the Lusaka Provincial Administration, working closely with DMMU and Lusaka City Council, continues to closely monitor the situation in Makeni Villa and other flood-prone areas across the city.

Mr. Lukwanda says drainage maintenance and emergency works are ongoing as part of broader efforts to mitigate flood risks during the rainy season.

He has appealed to residents to desist from constructing structures in drainage corridors and natural waterways, as such actions significantly increase flood risks and threaten lives, property, and public infrastructure.

Mr. Lukwanda says government remains committed to safeguarding communities and will continue to take decisive, coordinated action to respond to emergencies and reduce disaster risks across Lusaka Province.

Additionally, a spot monitoring visit was made to Chainda in the Cholera response to assess progress on implementation of agreed cholera response interventions in the area.

He says through Water Supply Interventions, all five water tanks have been successfully installed with Water deliveries made in earnest, and all tanks being filled twice daily.

Meanwhile, the Oral Cholera Vaccination campaign is ongoing and progressing well, with teams actively vaccinating in identified zones.

Lusaka Province currently has 42 confirmed cholera cases.