Malawi: The Chikwawa district of Malawi is struggling with heavy rains and flash floods. The weather conditions in the region have claimed two lives in the Traditional Authorities Ngabu and Lundu respectively.
Additionally, traditional authorities face repercussions from the weather in terms of significant infrastructural damage. Reports suggest that many families in the district have lost their houses to the heavy rains and flash floods.
According to the official tally, a total of 1,683 houses have sustained varying degrees of damage due to the weather. The wet season of Malawi is near its conclusion, however, heavy rains continue to affect daily lives in many parts of the country.
The authorities coming from the Disaster Risk Management office have already reached out to the affected areas. The organization has helped the families who were affected by the heavy rains and adverse weather.
They have shared some details of the weather conditions of the district and outlined the most severely affected areas. Chikwawa Disaster Risk Management Officer, Charity Machika has outlined the most affected villages including Group Village Heads (GVHs) Nkhwangwa, Mchenga, Malemia, Nsomo, Mphamba, and Chabuka.
Other affected villages are Chabuka 1 & 2, Moses, Sandiiwale, Jimu, Pinakuwa and Nsona.
According to the officer, the heavy rains started on Thursday. The weather claimed two lives and two other individuals reported that they were injured. However, these numbers are expected to change as assessment of affected villages are ongoing,” she said.
The heavy rains and flash floods damaged the Nyakamba Bridge in the area of TA Ngabu Accordingly, the road users have been restricted to one lane of the bridge.
The Chikwawa Disaster Risk Management Officer expanded upon the steps that they have taken to address the situation. The organization has conducted an assessment and provided shelter to the affected families. They have also been given blankets and sleeping mats
The officials have shared that they continue to send out support to the affected households and families. The individuals have also received food assistance from the government and disaster management agencies.
The country’s people have also extended their support to the affected households and condolences on the lives lost. They also hoped that the displaced families would be safe and sound.