President Hakainde Hichilema has advised his Vice President Mutale Nalumango to move people living in low-lying areas to safer places before the rains set in.
Opening the Fourth Session of the 13th National Assembly last Friday, Hichilema advised Nalumango–whose office overseas disaster management and mitigation–to move ahead of the rains and not wait to relocate people when the waters hit “because we know what’s coming.”
Zambia is forecast to experience normal to above-normal rainfall characteristic of the La Nina climate phenomenon which follows the El Nino and is the opposite of it.
Giving the official 2024/25 rainfall season forecast, Water Development and Sanitation Minister Mike Mposha said rain will set over much of the country in November, while certain areas, including the northern parts, will see rain setting in October. He said the coming rainy season will likely bring flooding, especially to flood-prone areas.
Hichilema said the government was strengthening early warning systems and to that effect had installed more than 200 weather stations in all the 116 districts around the country’s major water bodies.
“We will equally ensure that our farmers are provided with information on the weather in a timely manner in order for them to make informed decisions,” he stated.
The president encouraged citizens not to be discouraged by the drought from taking up agriculture but to venture into it once again.
He also disclosed that smart agriculture has positively affected livelihoods in Eastern Province where a smart agriculture project is being implemented.
“162,300 hectares have been brought under smart agriculture. This has had a positive impact on the lives of our people in the targeted communities, with increased monetary and non-monetary benefits. Over 162,000 people have benefitted from the project,” he stated.
