Zambian president appeals for international aid over floods
Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa on Wednesday appealed for international aid following the devastating effects of floods that have killed three people and displaced several thousands others.
"The floods have left roads and bridges damaged... and lives have been lost. We are appealing to the international community to render assistance to our country," he said ahead of his scheduled tour of affected areas on Thursday.
Mwanawasa said his government cannot afford to repair the damaged infrastructure and look after the displaced people from domestic resources.
An estimated 1.5 million people will be affected by floods in Zambia and government has come up with a 13 million-dollar (8.8 million euros) contingency plan to address the situation.
Police said three people died last week in the floods in southern Zambia where heavy rains have caused massive damages to roads and bridges.
Authorities have closed the main highway connecting the country's capital Lusaka with neighbouring Malawi after heavy rains washed away the bridges.
The Great East Road was closed with immediate effect to prevent accidents after culverts on two bridges collapsed, Road Development Agency (RDA) spokeswoman Loyce Saili said.
"Traffic has been suspended to allow for emergency measures on the bridges," Saili said.
Zambia has been experiencing heavy rains in the past few weeks that have caused floods in most areas and destroyed houses and crops in rural areas.
Widespread flooding in neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe has also left at least nine people dead and many thousands more homeless.
