The number of people who have lost lives due to rain-related disasters has reached 31, up from 11 as at December 31 2024, The Daily Times has learned.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) indicates that this is the case as at Tuesday, January 21 2025.
Dodma spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula said out of the dead people, 22 died after being struck by lightning.
Khamula said the number of affected households has also increased from 10,833 in December 2024 to around 31, 413 households as at Tuesday, January 21 2025.
- Advertisement -
“The total number of injuries has also increased from 79 to 382, with the majority caused by lightning and damaged walls and roofs. It is of paramount importance to note that this updated status excludes damages caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido, which affected 10,159 people, claimed 13 lives and left 29 injured,” Khamula said.
- Advertisement -
He added that Dodma had been reaching out to the affected households with food and non-food items.
These include maize, beans, blankets, pails and plastic sheets for temporary roofing.
“[The] provision of relief assistance is ongoing and the department, in collaboration with various humanitarian partners, will reach out to all the affected households as per the reports from district councils,” he said.
Khamula further urged people to take precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of being struck by lightning.
- Advertisement -
“Let me encourage the general public to pay attention to daily weather forecasts and postpone all open space activities if the forecasts call for thunderstorms. It is also important to seek enclosed shelter immediately when caught out in the open during thunderstorms,” he said.
Some of the councils that have been affected include Mangochi, Balaka, Lilongwe, Dowa, Machinga, Nkhotakota and Karonga.
