Disasters hit over 3 000 households in Malawi

At least 3 159 households have been affected by strong winds and stormy rains while 18 people have been injured across Malawi since November this year, an official report has shown.

A Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) report highlighting disasters registered from November 2 to December 16 in the 2016/2017 rainy season indicates that among the affected 3 159 households, some had their houses and household property damaged, others had their roofs blown while others were completely destroyed.

The report, which indicates that 13 of the country’s 28 districts have been affected, also says that that five hectares of land was washed away due to stormy rains in Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi in Mchinji on December 16.

Apart from Mchinji, other affected districts include Nkhata Bay, Zomba, Balaka, Machinga, Dedza, Rumphi, Mzimba, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Neno, Mangochi and Mulanje.

“On November 2 2016, in the area of Traditional Authority Chanthunya in Balaka, stormy rains blew off roofs for two teachers’ houses, a head teacher’s office and two classroom blocks at Kangamkundi Full Primary School as well as roofs for Living waters Church, Church of Christ, Roman Catholic Church and Chitale Mosque,” reads part of the report Dodma spokesperson Jeremiah Mphande made available to The Nation by yesterday.

Meanwhile, in Mulanje, people are seeking refuge at Nyangayathyoka Primary School after 42 households were damaged due to stormy rains in the area of T/A Mabuka, according to the report.

In Chikwawa, another district usually affected by disasters, though not on the list, district commissioner (DC) Bester Mandere indicated in an earlier interview with The Nation on Tuesday, that several houses have had their roofs blown but assessments are still in progress and a report hasnot been sent to Dodma yet.

In the meantime, Dodma has warned people living in flood-prone areas in districts such as Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe to move upland. n