The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in the Office of the President and Cabinet would like to update the general public on effects of flash floods following heavy downpour in Nkhotakota and Karonga Districts.

As of Thursday, 29th February, 2024, an updated preliminary report from Nkhotakota District Council indicates that about 7,000 people have been displaced and nine camps set in Traditional Authorities (T/As) Kanyenda and Mphonde.The report further states that one person has died when the canoe they were sailing in capsized due to high water levels.

Meanwhile, a national search and rescue (SAR) team led by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) is working with communities in providing life-saving interventions. So far, over 900 people who were trapped in various areas, have been rescued. The SAR team is also ferrying relief items (which include maize flour and tents) earlier dispatched by the department and medical personnel and supplies/equipment to areas that require urgent attention.

For the past 24 hours, rains persisted around Dwangwa; causing widespread damage to roads and further hindering essential service delivery.

Immediate Needs

The council further reports that displaced communities are in need of food, clothing, shelter materials (i.e family tents), blankets, dignity kits and WASH facilities (cups, pails, water treatment chemicals and mobile toilets).

In Karonga, a brief update by the council indicates that heavy rains persisted and have largely damaged rice fields in TA Mwakawoko.

As most parts of the lakeshore areas continue experiencing high rainfalls, the department reiterate calls for communities to move to safer and higher areas.

The general public will be duly updated on damages caused by the floods and any related development.

For more information, please contact the Principal Information Management and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chipiliro Raymond Khamula, on +265 (0) 999 043 228, (0) 884 572 844 E-mail; info.dodma@dodma.gov.mw.
Issued in Lilongwe on the 29th Day of February, 2024.

Charles Kalemba
COMMISSIONER FOR DISASTER
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