Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) data shows that five more have died from the impact of Cyclone Chido, bringing the number to seven.
In its update yesterday, Dodma said the cyclone, which weakened and exited Malawi on Monday after making a landfall in Mozambique on Sunday morning, has also injured 16 people and damaged school blocks and five health facilities.
The assessment further showed that the cyclone has so far affected 34 741 people in 20 councils.
The statement quoted Dodma Commissioner Charles Kalemba as having indicated that the five new deaths include three in Salima and one each in Kasungu and Lilongwe.
He said: “The health facilities damaged by the cyclone are located in Dedza, Mangochi, Machinga, Blantyre and Chikwawa. In Neno, five health facilities, namely Luwani, Matandani, Dambe, Matope and Nsambe have been cut off from main road access although there is partial accessibility.”
The cyclone has also damaged classroom blocks in Blantyre, Mchinji, Balaka, Zomba, Mwanza, Mulanje, Phalombe and Mangochi, according to Dodma.
In Kasungu, strong winds blew off roofs of four cells which provide shelter to 400 prisoners at Kasungu Prison.
Balaka has the highest number of affected people with 1 609 households impacted in 11 traditional authorities.
Balaka district commissioner Tamanya Harawa said in an interview yesterday that many of the affected are staying with relations while others have started reconstructing their houses.
“In terms of response, we have received more than 300 bags of maize from Dodma but other partners are making assessments to see what is required,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dodma has made arrangements to use prepositioned maize in strategic places such as Liwonde, Ntcheu and Blantyre to respond to the needs of the affected population.
Already, 20 metric tonnes of maize flour is available but more food items as well as shelter materials, blankets and sleeping mats are required.
Cyclone Chido entered Malawi around midnight on Sunday, and brought strong winds and rains.
According to the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Machinga district received the highest rainfall amounts with 87.3 millimetres (mm) at Nanyumbu while Zomba recorded the lowest rainfall with 41.5mm.
The cyclone has since exited Malawi into Mozambique through Neno District and has no impact over Malawi weather, according to meteorological experts.
