The past five years have seen Malawians getting baptized by climate change-related natural disasters. One by one, from cyclones and storms Ida, Kenneth, Gombe, Ana, to Freddy, among others, calamities have come and gone. Meanwhile, Malawians thought they had seen it all. But, as MPHATSO M ’ B A N G ’ O M B E writes, the 2024-25 wet season seems to have started on a bad note— with more sad news not out of the question.
On Wednesday mid-night, 43-year-old Lucy from Chiyimba Village under Traditional Authority Vuso Jere in Ntchisi District thought she had everything under control.
“I just finished putting iron sheets on my newly constructed two-bedroom house last week and I thought the 2024-25 rainy season would pass without any incident,” she said.
It was not to be.
Thursday, a severe storm swept through Ntchisi District, causing significant destruction in Chiyimba area.
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Her property did not go unscathed.
And she is not the only one concerned as Blessings Mandimu, who is the chairperson for Chimwala Village Development Committee, has told Friday Shaker that more than 40 houses have suffered damage.
“In fact, two individuals were injured, with one of them quickly transported to Chinkhande Health Centre, where medical treatment was provided,” Mandimu, who indicated that the storm struck at 3pm, explained.
“It was accompanied by heavy rains, such that many families have lost shelter and food after house roofs and storage facilities were affected,” Mandimu stated.
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Benard Chitekwe, who is the Member of Parliament for Ntchisi East Constituency, has said he is equally disturbed by what has happened.
“I am actually getting in touch with Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) officials on the issue right now.
conducting assessments
“I urge well-wishers to support community members in my constituency during this difficult time,” Chitekwe said.
James Mwale, the spokesperson for Ntchisi District Council, said they were waiting for detailed information on the issue.
Thursday, Dodma spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula indicated that four people had died while 68 others had been injured by natural disasters that have been registered in the country since October this year.
He said the disasters had, so far, affected 9,054 households, translating to 40,743 people.
“Most of the deaths have been caused by lightning, hence we encourage people to avoid sitting or standing under trees when it’s raining. Apart from damage to structures, a lot of people have lost livestock and other properties,” Khamula said.
