Several residents of Livingstone District in Southern Province, Zambia, were left stranded on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, after heavy rains caused widespread flooding at multiple crossing points, cutting off access to the central business district.
The affected wards include Namatama, Mwalibonena, Maramba, Libuyu, and Kabila.
Local residents have voiced frustration over repeated delays by authorities in elevating or improving these flood-prone crossing points, despite the recurring nature of such incidents during the rainy season.
A Diamond News inspection at Ngwenya Bridge in Namatama Ward revealed that several houses constructed close to the crossing point are now at serious risk of collapsing due to the forceful water flow.
Namatama Ward Councilor Kelvin Maambo expressed sympathy for the affected residents but reminded them to adhere to council directives prohibiting encroachment along streams and drainage channels.
In addition, numerous schoolchildren were observed stranded from as early as 07:30 hours, unable to safely cross the flooded areas to reach their schools.
This latest flooding highlights ongoing challenges with urban drainage and infrastructure resilience in low-lying parts of Livingstone during the wet season. Authorities are urged to prioritize long-term solutions to prevent future disruptions.
By Gabriel Josias Muuba
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