INVESTIGATING THE IMPACTS OF FLOODS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE AT NKANDO COMMUNITY IN MULANJE DISTRICT, SOUTHERN MALAWI

Flooding is a phenomenon which can occur if the quantity of water in the watershed exceeds the capacity of the stream, river and lake (Government of Malawi Disaster Risk Management Handbook 2013). Floods cause threats to life, environment and population. This study investigated the socio-economic impacts of flood on the livelihoods of the people of Nkando community in Mulanje district. In this study, descriptive study design was adopted applying both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The research indicated that no river management by the local authorities (53%), built next to the river with low capacity (24%) and low lying area (13%) were identified as being the main causes of flood vulnerability of the people in Nkando community. The research questionnaire also demonstrated that agriculture sector is heavily being affected by floods leading to food insecurity. Further, the study demonstrated that flood affects school attendance due to impassable roads and bridges being submerged. In some cases flood causes an outbreak of disease like diarrhea and malaria/fever. It was also observed that in every hundred people which were sampled, fifty five (55) people their houses collapsed due to floods and lost both productive and non-productive assets either direct or indirect. It is recommended that Government and key Stakeholders should engage the communities and local authorities in making them aware of the flood risk in view of the climate variability and community based floods early warning system (EWAS) should be developed. There should be a policy to force communities’ especially in rural areas to build house using durable materials and away from the flood prone areas and Government and Disaster Risk Management Stakeholders should engage communities in order for them to move permanently to higher grounds as they have expressed a willingness to relocate.

The research indicated that no river management by the local authorities (53%), built next to the river with low capacity (24%) and low lying area (13%) were identified as being the main causes of flood vulnerability of the people in Nkando community. It was also observed that in every hundred people which were sampled, fifty five (55) people their houses collapsed due to floods and lost both productive and non-productive assets either direct or indirect. It is recommended that Government and key Stakeholders should engage the communities and local authorities in making them aware of the flood risk in view of the climate variability and community based floods early warning system (EWAS) should be developed. There should be a policy to force communities’ especially in rural areas to build house using durable materials and away from the flood prone areas and Government and Disaster Risk Management Stakeholders should engage communities in order for them to move permanently to higher grounds as they have expressed a willingness to relocate.

The study was conducted in Thuchira community at Nkando in Mulanje district, the Southern region of Malawi. The area was selected because it has experienced floods in different rainfall seasons. For instance, the area was affected by 2015 and 2019 floods. The area experiences floods than other areas due no river management by the local authorities, built next to the river with low capacity and low lying area topography enmeshed a long Thuchira river.

Traditional authority: TA Nkanda

District: Mulanje

Coordinates: -15.8476, 35.4729