THE floods in Lusaka have been a source of frustration for the affected people as much as they have provided ammunition for several interest groups to exchange accusations over who should take responsibility for the mess in Lusaka.

As the picture on our front page today illustrates, some townships like Chawama and Kanyama have been overwhelmed by heavy rainfall in the past few weeks.

Some houses are submerged in water, many roads are impassable, and the threat of diseases in the sordid conditions is ever on the minds of the residents in these areas.

It is understandable for them to complain about the discomfort they are in, and perhaps to question why preventive measures sometimes are long in coming from the people assigned to make sure that residential areas are kept habitable at all times.

We are aware that the floods are more fodder for the Government critics, who see an opportunity to influence people left vulnerable by their living situations.

But the step being spearheaded by the Government to relocate the flood victims to higher and drier parts of Lusaka such as Chilanga is teaching us to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint.

We must collectively remember that trading accusation after accusation would cause an unhappy and pointless search for security for our fellow citizens who are looking to better lifestyles after what they have been through.

The positive thing the Government is showing the people of Zambia is that talking alone could never change anything. It is putting our words into action that matters the most.

Lusaka District Commissioner Christa Kalulu made that point clear yesterday. A lasting solution will be found at a later stage, since it is not possible to pump water out in face of the continuing heavy fall of rain.

For now, what is important is to protect the lives of the residents.

This is the path all those involved in this task should seek to follow, and that is what will pacify the minds of the flood victims.

We also appreciate the cooperation from the families that have accepted to shift from the flooded homes.

That is certainly not an easy thing to do, but given the circumstances in which they are, that is the best they could settle for.

There are some families that may still be dithering over what to do, probably because they are afraid of change.

However, it is important for them to consider the benefits of living in a dry place, and protect their members from waterborne diseases, than to stick to their familiar premises which are exposing them to more danger.