Nkhotakota floods kill 1, displace 7 000

Floods that have hit Nkhotakota District have claimed one life and displaced 7 000 people, including 900 who were trapped on Wednesday but have now been rescued, data from district officials show.

Nkhotakota district information officer Wongani Mkandawire yesterday said a security guard at a lodge in the district died after a rescue canoe capsized.

The displaced people are from traditional authorities (T/As) Malengachanzi, Kanyenda and Mphonde. So far, nine evacuation camps have been set up in T/As Kanyenda and Mphonde.

Mkandawire said the situation was still dire due to persistent rainfall since Tuesday. He said as of yesterday, emergency camps were sheltering about 6 000 people.

“More financial support is needed for rescue boats’ logistics. We also appeal for more supplies including food, medical and beddings,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers yesterday took up the ongoing rescue operation.

Details from the district council indicated that the soldiers were using their boats in the rescue efforts despite growing calls for helicopters to be flown in.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) commissioner Charles Kalemba said a search and rescue (SAR) team led by the MDF was working with communities.

Dodma said the SAR team is also ferrying food items, medical personnel and supplies earlier dispatched by the commission to areas requiring urgent attention.

Reads in part the statement: “The council further reports that displaced communities are in need of food, clothing, family tents, blankets, dignity kits and Wash facilities such as cups, pails, water treatment chemicals and mobile toilets.”

The department further warned the public to relocate to safety as heavy rains persist in most parts of the lakeshore areas.

In Karonga, the commission said heavy rains have damaged rice fields mainly in T/A Mwakaboko.