Natural disasters have claimed 39 lives this rainy season, primarily due to lightning strikes. The total number of injuries is now at 483, with many affected by collapsing walls. The number of households impacted has risen to 40,178, displacing 809 individuals. Assistance has been provided to 80 percent of affected households.
Natural disasters have resulted in the unfortunate loss of 39 lives during the current rainy season, as reported by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma). This statement, endorsed by Commissioner for Disaster Charles Kalemba, highlights that lightning strikes account for the majority of these fatalities, with 26 deaths attributed to lightning and 13 to collapsing walls of structures.
Among the tragic incidents, two infants, merely three months old, lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Mzuzu City and Nkhata Bay District. Additionally, the number of recorded injuries has risen to 483, primarily stemming from lightning and structural damage. Public Relations Officer for Dodma, Chipiliro Khamula, noted that these figures more than double the death toll compared to the previous rainy season, where only 17 deaths were recorded up to this time.
The statement further outlines a significant rise in the number of households affected by natural disasters, primarily due to increased flooding. From the start of the rainy season until March 5, 2025, the number of affected households escalated from 35,661 to 40,178, impacting approximately 180,801 individuals. Out of these households, 809 have been displaced as a result of ongoing disasters.
Despite these challenges, Dodma has successfully reached 80 percent of the affected households, providing essential food and non-food items, including maize, beans, blankets, pails, and plastic sheets intended for temporary roofing.
In summary, the recent rainy season has claimed 39 lives due to various natural disasters, predominantly attributed to lightning strikes. The number of injuries has also increased significantly, paralleling the rise in affected households. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs is actively engaged in providing assistance to those impacted, although the scale of the disasters has exceeded that of previous years.
Original Source: www.nyasatimes.com
