Severe weather kills 31 people
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) data shows that severe weather characterised by heavy rains has killed 31 people and injured 382 others since the start of the 2024/25 rainfall season.
Dodma commissioner Charles Kalemba in a statement on Tuesday said 22 of the deaths were caused by lightning and described the figure as deeply concerning.

Reads the statement: “The department advises the general public to reduce the likelihood of being struck by lightning by seeking enclosed shelter immediately when caught out in the open during thunderstorms and by avoiding seeking shelter under trees or taller objects.”
Overall, the number of households affected by recurrent disasters such as stormy rains, strong winds, heavy rains and lightning has increased from 10 833 households in December 2024 to 31 413 this month, according to Dodma.
Kalemba said the statistics exclude damages caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido, which affected 10 159 people, claimed 13 lives and left 29 injured.
Dodma is mandated to provide humanitarian assistance to affected households and the support includes food and non-food items such as maize, beans, blankets, pails and plastic sheets for temporary roofing.
In an interview on Tuesday, Ntchisi District Council spokesperson James Mwale said 48 households whose houses were damaged due to heavy rains in traditional authorities Kalumo and Malenga over the weekend were yet to be reached with support.
“We conducted the assessment, sent the report to Dodma and we are waiting for assistance,” he said.
Nsanje District Council spokesperson Robert Nayeja said 1 693 people have been affected by disasters in the district so far and Dodma has since assisted them with a 50 kilogramme bag of maize each.
Malawi experienced erratic rains and prolonged dry spells between November last year and early January this year but last weekend, some parts of the country received rainfall measuring over 100 millimeters.
The Department of Climate Change has forecasted more heavy rains across the country up to Sunday, January 26 2025 with the risk of flooding in some areas.