By NORMA SIAME-
TWO weeks of continuous torrential rain has left a trail of destruction and close to 1,000 people homeless in Kaputa District in Northern Province.
According to a preliminary report released by the Provincial Permanent Secretary Hlobota Nkunika, the number of people affected was expected to rise as water levels continue to rise.
Maize fields and houses in some areas had been completely submerged under water following a fortnight of heavy rains that left an estimated 151 households in need of urgent relief food and shelter.
Government by yesterday was making frantic efforts to deliver relief supplies that included food and medicine to the affected families.
So far, 30 tents have been put up to provide temporary shelter to the worst affected areas of the district.
Hundreds of blankets and sacks of beans and maize were being distributed as well.
Following unconfirmed reports of cases of diarrhoeal diseases in the temporary camps put up to accommodate the homeless, Mr Nkunika said a medical team had been deployed to the area.
Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe left mid-morning yesterday to go and assess the situation and get first-hand information.
Food security was expected to be compromised as most farmers had lost their maize and cassava crops due to the flooding.
