561 houses destroyed by rains in Blantyre

At least 561 households in Blantyre District have been affected by the stormy rains since the rains started in October.

Assistant District Disaster and Risk Management Officer for Blantyre, Alibewake Maulawo told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday that Tradition Authorities Nsomba, Chigalu, Kuntaja and Kapeni were the most affected areas.

“So far we have recorded 561 stormy victims in four tradition areas in the Blantyre district since October last year.

“The stormy rains led to a number of houses being collapsed and crops washed away. However the fortunate part was, none of the people lost his or her life.” explained Maulawo.

She however said the council has managed to assist the victims by donating various relief items such as maize, beans, plastic cups and blankets.

Maulawo then appealed for more support from the general public.

“We believe that the number could be high because over the years we have had some unreported cases that is why we are calling upon the masses to come in with support in order to carter for such victims,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has warned of high rainfall amounts which are likely to trigger flash floods and flooding in potential flood prone districts in the next two weeks.

—Reporting by Memory Kutengule