MET issues cyclone warning, urges caution
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) has warned Malawians to brace for another cyclone which is brewing in the Indian Ocean and could hit the country in a few weeks.
MET said the tropical storm is expected to develop in the Mozambique Channel by Sunday next week.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the department warned that once the storm develops, it is expected to continue to intensify and evolve into a moderate tropical storm, before escalating into a tropical cyclone.
“There is 60 percent chance that it may get to or closer to southern Malawi,” reads the statement.
Environmental rights activist Matthews Malata said in case the storm develops, to reduce the chances of losing lives, authorities should intensify alerting people while all rescue teams are assembled.
He said it was unfortunate that the Disaster Risk Management Fund remains unfunded by the Treasury, thereby hampering efforts to invest in disaster prevention.
“The fund should be rolled out. It will help us to prepare instead of responding. The fund should be rolled out this year, we cannot wait,” said Malata.
Meanwhile, many areas across the country will continue receiving locally heavy rains and occasional thunderstorms increasing the risk of sporadic flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, according to meteorological experts.
They have attributed the situation to the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone which continues to oscillate over Malawi.
The department added that it will continue to “closely monitor” the situation and communicate any potential impacts on Malawi weather.
Meanwhile, the Department of Water Resources in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation has warned of floods in the Northern Region and lakeshore areas as major rivers are expected to continue experiencing high water levels that started on Thursday and March 14 2024.
“The Department of Water Resources is, therefore, advising the general public to refrain from settling in and crossing the flooded rivers and streams and to be alert when visiting these areas,” director of Water Resources James Chitete said in a statement.
Floods induced by heavy rains have already affected thousands of people in Nkhotakota and Karonga districts where 9 300 people and 600 households, respectively have been displaced.
The rising Lake Malawi water levels have increased over the past week, submerging some tourist attraction sites in Mangochi and Salima.
In March 2023, the country was hit by Cyclone Freddy affecting Blantyre, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu and Phalombe districts.
The Malawi 2023 Tropical Cyclone Freddy Post-Disaster Needs Assessment describes Cyclone Freddy as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record.
About 2.3 million were affected, 660 000 displaced, 679 confirmed dead while 530 were declared missing.
