By Memory Chatonda/Mana
One death has been recorded following floods from recent persistent rains that have so far affected at least 6,700 households in Chikwawa and Nsanje, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has said.
The sad development follows heavy widespread rains associated with thunderstorms, strong winds and fog that Malawi, especially Southern Region, experienced from Sunday, 19th January to Wednesday, 22nd January, 2020.
In an interview on Thursday, DoDMA Spokesperson, Chipiliro Khamula said the rains have affected 4,488 and 2,187 households in Nsanje and Chikwawa respectively.
“One death has been recorded and 336 families have been displaced in Nsanje,” he said.
Khamula said the department is currently conducting assessment to establish the extent of damage in readiness for distribution of relief items.
The DoDMA PRO then appealed to people of Shire Valley’s flood-prone areas to relocate upland to avoid being affected by such occurrences in future.
“Some people in traditional authorities Ndamela and Kapichi have already started moving to upland areas and we, therefore, appeal to others to follow suit for the safety of their lives as well as property,” he advised.
Meanwhile, the department is still responding to the 22,483 families affected by natural disasters that occurred from July 2019 to January 18, 2020 with relief package comprising 50 kilogram of maize or rice, beans, plastic sheets and kitchen utensils for each household.
