Storm, more rain predicted in Malawi

A family that survived flood waters wait outside they home for relief teams in the southern district of Chikwawa, near Blantyre, Malawi. Photo: Thoko Chikondi

A family that survived flood waters wait outside they home for relief teams in the southern district of Chikwawa, near Blantyre, Malawi. Photo: Thoko Chikondi

Published Jan 29, 2015

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Blantyre - Malawi, with more than half of its land surface currently reeling under unprecedented flooding, is on high alert with weathermen forecasting heavy rain “in the coming few days”.

Elina Kululanga, head of public weather service in the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, said on Wednesday this would be a “wet week”, but a storm would hit the southern region.

“This means there will be heavy rain in the southern region accompanied by heavy winds and thunderstorms,” she said.

Kululanga said the heavy rain in most parts of the southern region would culminate in heavy flooding in the flood-prone southern Lower Shire Valley bordering Mozambique, also devastated by flooding.

Vice-President Saulos Chilima, whose office is co-ordinating the relief, rescue and recovery efforts, said Malawi was on high “flood alert” in the wake of the new warning.

“Malawi Army helicopters, with the kind assistance of two more from the Republic of South Africa, are on high alert to respond promptly in case of new flooding and displacements,” he said.

At least 176 people have already been confirmed dead with 160 more still unaccounted for, according to Chilima. More than 200 000 people have been displaced.

Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika said Malawi needed at least $81 million (R933m) to mitigate the aftermath of the floods, including relief efforts, rehabilitation and resettlement.

He said Western donor countries like the US, Great Britain, Norway and Germany, and agencies like the UN, and NGOs like Save the Children, World Vision International, and Plan International had donated money or relief items.

But, according to Mutharika there was still a shortfall of $67m.

The flooding has affected education with 234 schools damaged countrywide. At least 181 more schools are being used as temporary camps for the displaced. According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and the UN Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination, thousands of pupils are not attending classes because of the flooding.

Daily News Foreign Service

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