Floods likely to cause increase in disease burden to humans and animals likely to be experienced during the 2019/2020 rainy season

Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya says the country is likely to experience floods and flash floods in flood prone areas that may cause damage to infrastructure and increase the chances of disease burdens to human, livestock and crops during the 2019/2020 rainy season.

In a ministerial statement on the 2019/2020 rainy season forecast, Mr. Kafwaya says these experiences may include damage to civil infrastructure such as roads, bridges and culverts.

He says the country may also face increased chances of diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid and outbreaks of agricultural pests such as army-worms and stalk borers across the country.

Mr Kafwaya has since advised Members of Pariament and the public in general to take all the necessary precautions to avoid loss of life and property should there be extreme weather events during this rainy season.

And Mr. Kafwaya says much of Zambia is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall during the 2019/2020 rainy season.

He has also stated that there is a likelihood of dry spells around February especially over the southern half of the country.