Communities in parts of Mzimba are facing increasing isolation after persistent heavy rains washed away critical road infrastructure, cutting off several villages from basic services and humanitarian assistance.
In the area of Senior Chief Mabulabo, more than four bridges have been destroyed, severely disrupting movement and making it difficult for residents to access health facilities and schools.
The destruction has also hampered humanitarian efforts, with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs forced to suspend the distribution of relief food items.
Senior Chief Mabulabo said the situation has been compounded by the destruction of pipes supplying gravity-fed water systems, leaving some households without access to safe drinking water.
Further highlighting the extent of the damage, Mzimba Luwerezi legislator Fischer Canaan Nkhwazi revealed that more than 13 bridges including Msusu, Luwerezi and Liziwazi have been washed away across the constituency.
He described the affected communities as destitute and appealed for urgent intervention.
Nkhwazi has since called on the M’mbelwa District Council and the central government to provide immediate support, noting that the scale of destruction far exceeds what can be addressed through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Confirming the development, M’mbelwa District Council spokesperson Joel Phiri said the council is aware of the situation and has begun planning rehabilitation works to restore access and ensure communities can once again reach essential services.
