Lilongwe facing the brunt of climate change

 

Malawi is a small country in Central Africa that is endowed with lavish natural resources. Among the resources is abundant fresh water from sources like Lake Malawi, Africa’s third largest fresh water lake.

However, for Lilongwe, Malawi’s Capital City, the only source of water for its bursting population of  over 600, 000 is the 200 KM long Lilongwe River. At the moment, the River’s waters are almost completely depleted. This is two months before it can be replenished by rains which normally start in December.

Meanwhile, the rains are nowhere in sight. According to the country’s Metrological experts, Malawi is now experiencing a shift in seasons from onset to cessation of rains; this is one of the major effects of climate change that Malawians have to face.

Dwindling water levels in Lilongwe River are direct effects of  climate change.Picture taken by Patricia Mtungila at Lilongwe Bridge