By Mercy Matonga:
A total of 2,032 households have, so far, been affected by weather-related disasters, barely weeks into the 2025-26 rainy season, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has indicated.
This is according to a statement presented to Parliament by Leader of the House Jappie Mhango on behalf of Vice President Jane Ansah, who oversees operations of the department.
Mhango, who presented the statement Thursday, said Dodma had, so far, received reports of incidents from 15 district councils.
“As of 25th November, 2025, a cumulative total of 2,032 households have been affected by the various disasters, with 10 injuries reported. One death due to lightning was recorded in Neno District,” Mhango said.
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He said the disasters— ranging from strong winds, heavy rains, flash floods to lightning—had caused extensive damage to houses, crop fields, school blocks and key public infrastructure, including roads, disrupting livelihoods across the affected communities.
According to the update, Dodma and its humanitarian partners have been on the ground providing relief assistance, which includes both food and non-food items.
“The department has already dispatched supplies to districts that have submitted fresh reports— including Dowa, Chikwawa, Mangochi, Machinga and Mzimba—in recent days, as efforts intensify to reach all affected households,” Mhango said.
The department has also appealed for continued support from development partners as the rainy season progresses, warning that more incidents are likely to occur as weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable.
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Commenting on the matter, Nsanje South lawmaker Walter Nyamilandu said it is high time that government considered putting in place long-term policies.
“Even though there are reliefs, I believe it is high time we settled for long-term policies to deal with disasters in prone areas,” Nyamilandu said.
