Rains destroy 89 schools in northern Zambia

Torrential rains have left 89 schools in northern Zambia without roots, state broadcaster reported on Tuesday.

The schools had their roofs blown off due to heavy rains being experienced in some parts of the country and the affected schools included newly-constructed ones, according to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika attributed the problem to poor workmanship in the construction of some new schools and has since called for urgent need to repair them before schools open on January 16, 2017.

Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Henry Tukombe, who visited the area to check on the affected schools, said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, will put measures to address the problem.

Heavy rains in some parts of Zambia have left a trail of destruction, with properties destroyed while some bridges have been washed away.

On Saturday, four children of the same family died while their mother was seriously injured after a house they were sleeping in collapsed on them during heavy rains in the southern district of Siavonga.

The house collapsed after a wall fence from a nearby house collapsed on it. Endit