Floating Weeds Choke Malawi's Chia Lagoon, Threatening Farming and Fishing

A mass of floating weeds at Malawi's Chia Lagoon is causing widespread disruption to waterways and livelihoods. The lagoon, which covers 1,700 hectares, is home to over 7,800 households that rely on rice, cassava, and maize farming, as well as fishing and bird hunting. Farmers and fishers are struggling to access fields and fishing areas due to the weeds, which have been accumulating since February. The lagoon's outlet, which drains into Lake Malawi, has become clogged with weeds and debris, causing water to back up and flood agricultural fields. Communities are worried about the impact on their livelihoods, with some fields experiencing waterlogged soils and matured cassava rotting. Scientists are still trying to understand why the weeds are accumulating now, but the effects are clear: the lagoon's ecosystem and the people who depend on it are suffering.