Since the onset of the rainy season late 2009, many parts of Zambia have been shrouded in a mist of floods which have since forced some evacuations in certain areas while far flung places have been cut-off from the capital, Lusaka, causing a further drain to service supplies to rural areas.

Humanitarian agencies such as Red Cross, World Vision and Oxfam have been collaborating with the Lusaka government’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to resettle some of the flood victims, most of whom are also infected with cholera.

According to the Ministry of Health, cholera cases have shot up to 559 after 17 new cases were recorded over the weekend.

“17 new cases were recorded over the weekend, bringing the total number of cholera cases in the country to 559 in three provinces namely, Lusaka, Copperbelt and Southern Provinces,” said Reuben Kamoto Mbewe, Ministry of Health spokesperson.

Meanwhile, heavy rains have continued to water the southern African state, leaving a trail of destruction in rural areas and farming communities scattered along the line of rail.

Weather experts say the sudden fluctuations in Zambia’s weather pattern might be as a result of climate change and global warming.

In 2007-2008, Zambia alongside, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi and Swaziland were hit by massive floods which effected food crop and livestock production.