‘Alarming’ cases of drowning in Nkhatabay: Lake Malawi

Malawi Police in the lakeshore district of Nkhatabay say they have registered a high number of drowning cases in the first half of 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.

Nkhatabay police spokesperson,Sergeant Ignatius Esau told Nyasa Times  that a total of six people drowned between January-July 2015 compared to ten people the same period this year,according to statistics.

The statistics indicate that the rise in number of drowning cases has been attributed to several factors.

“This year we experienced strong Mwera winds on Lake Malawi and despite numerous warning messages that police and weather experts were giving out to people on the dangers of sailing or fishing on such kind of the waters,  it seems people were  not taking heed of the advice,” Esau said.

He further said that people with epilepsy and children are among the victims of drowning incidents.

“There is a tendency by parents or guardians of letting epileptic patients and children  to go on their own to the lake, or any other water body, where they can drown. This has also contributed significantly to the rising number of drowning cases in 2016,” spokesperson added.

He however said in a bid to curb this surge in drowning cases, police in the district are encouraging people to be taking the messages that are disseminated by police and weather  experts from Meteorological Department ‘seriously’.

“Parents and gurdians are also been advised to see to it that children and people with epilepsy are not left alone to visit the lake or any other water body where they can drown,” he advised.

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