Lightning kills chief, 72 houses collapse in Karonga as earthquake hits

The Group Village Headman Mulyawana of Karonga district the northern part of Malawi has died following the heavy rainfall which was accompanied by lightning and hailstorm destroying over 72 houses and leaving four people injured on New Year’s Eve.

The development comes after a spate of earthquakes hit parts of Chitipa and Karonga on Wednesday around 10pm, sending tremors all the way to Mzuzu.

Karonga district commissioner Rosemary Moyo confirmed the development, saying the hailstorm hit people of Village Headman Kauteka and Kasangamala killing.

Moyo said lightning struck on Group Village Headman Mulyawana of Traditional Authority Wasambo.

“Tame night over 72 households of VH Kauteka and Kasangamala have been left homeless as the hailstorm hit their area injuring four people who are now admitted at Fuliwa hospital in Chilumba,” Moyo said.

The DC called it the “worst disaster “since the onset of rain season.

District Metrological officer Victor Phiri said four people have died in the district due to lightening.

Karonga district is one of the disaster prone districts in Malawi where different kind of disaster occurs such as floods earthquake and dry spell.