The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in Zambia reported that heavy rainfall on 25 December 2020 caused a spillway at Kandesha dam in Mumbwa District to collapse.
DMMU said one person died, several were injured and more than 100 families were left homeless. Red Cross reported that 261 houses were destroyed and 500 households severely affected and require humanitarian aid.
Vice President Inonge Wina later directed the Ministry of Agriculture to quickly assess and rehabilitate all old dams across the country in order to prevent similar disasters.
Mrs Wina said it is worrying that the dam, which was constructed in the 1950s, has not been receiving adequate maintenance which has led to the disaster.
