As motorists remain stranded at Jalawe in Rumphi, government has engaged the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to construct a temporary bridge since authorities are facing challenges rehabilitating the main Jalawe Bridge.
The bridge which is along M1 in Rumphi was washed away by heavy rains a week ago. Torrential rains are still falling in the area and are undermining efforts to rehabilitate the demolished part of the road.
Roads Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer Sam Kadangwe told the local media that that there was too much water flowing and backfilling could not withstand the pressure of water.
As a long term solution for the road, the Roads Authority has said it has identified a contractor to fix concrete culverts since the culverts were too old and narrow hence failure to withstand the pressure.
The temporary fix by the MDF however will allow for resumption of traffic flow on one of the most important roads in the Northern Region.
The damage on the road has already affected victims of floods in Karonga as trucks carrying foodstuffs for the victims are stuck in Mzuzu.
It baffles many why this road (M1) is neglected this way! The road brings into the country many of our vital imports, including fuel required in our industries. The road is narrow and has a poor surface. It is very dangerous for large vehicles to overtake each other or to allow each other space when approaching each other from opposite directions. Government should seriously consider rehabilitating this road which is an important import and export route for our country Malawi. It is saddening that the bridge at Jalawe has been washed away in two consecutive years without any attention being paid to it. You should see the long queue of trucks awaiting the repairing of the bridge on this road! A sad and sorry development indeed.