Heavy rains kill 11, displace dozens in Malawi

LILONGWE, Malawi

At least 11 people have died and 80 others have been injured during torrential rains in Malawi over the past few days, the country’s disaster management agency said Wednesday.

Addressing the media in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, Chipiliro Khamula, spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), said lightning, flooding, and collapsing walls caused the fatalities and injuries.

“During the last few days, most parts of the country have received heavy rains which have caused heavy damage to both households and schools. About 48,000 people have been affected through displacement,” Khamula said.

He noted that in some areas, schools have been damaged, disrupting classes.

“We are trying all what we can to provide support to the affected families and individuals so that they should be safe before some heavy rains start coming again,” he added.

Last Friday, lightning killed four students and injured six others in the country’s central region.

In recent years, the southern African nation has faced severe weather conditions that have significantly damaged its infrastructure.

In 2023, Cyclone Freddy devastated Malawi, killing thousands and displacing a million others. The country continues to struggle with the aftermath of the cyclone.