Met warns of continued rains
By Patience Lunda:
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has warned that the country would experience increased rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms from tomorrow to Sunday, February 21.
It says, in a statement, that the heavy rains would be caused by increased activity at the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone coupled with the influx of Congo air mass.
Director of Climate Change and Meteorological Services Department Jolamu Nkhokwe said, separately, that rains would start from the Southern Region, before progressing to the Central and, then, Northern Region areas.
“The heavy episodes of rains are expected to cover mostly the central and southern highlands. Therefore, people should exercise caution during this period to avoid accidents.
“Due to the high chance of thunderstorms, the general public is advised to be in doors, not touch electrical equipment while road-users should exercise caution when driving because there is a probability of reduced visibility. They should also avoid skidding on muddy roads,” Nkhokwe said.
Meanwhile, an unspecified number of households have been rendered destitute in Likoma District after strong winds and heavy rains destroyed houses and property.
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula said the office had assisted affected households.
He added that Dodma has also been assisting households rendered destitute by natural disasters since the onset of the rainy season.
Khamula said, out of 21,826 affected households, Dodma has reached out to 20,253 households with relief items.
Dodma has also recorded 218 injuries and 39 deaths during this time.
Some of the districts affected by disasters due to heavy rains include Mangochi, Phalombe, Karonga, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi and Mzimba.
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