GOVERNMENT TEMPORARILY SHUTS MBESUMA PONTOON AMID RISING WATERS.

The government has temporarily halted operation of the Mbesuma Pontoon in Mungwi District due to high water levels on the Chambeshi River.

The pontoon provides a crucial link connecting Northern Province through Mungwi District to Isoka and Chinsali Districts in Muchinga Province.

Mungwi District Commissioner Muma Musonda, who is also the District Disaster Management Committee Chairperson, announced the development when he led a team of engineers from the council to assess the situation.

Mr Musonda explained that the water levels had risen greatly and were posing a danger to people using the pontoon.

He advised the travelling public from Northern and Muchinga Provinces to use alternative routes to avoid being inconvenienced.

Mungwi Town Council Secretary Mwansa Mfula said the closure had been done to prevent any possible accidents.

“We regret the inconvenience this may cause to our people. We are urging them to either go through Mpika or Mbala to get to Northern Province,” Dr Mfula explained.

She appealed to government to consider relocating the residents and flood victims to higher land for their safety.