31 drown as govt warns of floods

The government has warned the public to be on high alert for flash floods this summer season, amid reports that 31 people have drowned, with 13 schools and 394 homesteads destroyed since the beginning of the rainy season this year.

Addressing journalists in the capital yesterday, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who also heads the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), cited Mangwe, Bulilima, Guruve and Nkayi as the most affected districts.

He said the victims had received various forms of assistance from the CPU and humanitarian organisations, adding that 4% of the country was exposed to extreme flood hazard.

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