Malawi first rains displace 2000 families across the country

Close to 2000 families have been displaced by the heavy first rains in Malawi with police reports monitored on radio indicating that at least five people have so far been killed in flooding waters.

In Ntcheu, two people, aged 18 each drowned in Kasamba dam on Monday prompting police public relations officer in the district to ask people to take extra care during this rainy season as most places are full of water.

In Nkhata Bay a six year old boy drowned on Sunday after he went out playing with his friends in running waters after heavy down pour.

Most district commissioners that Nyasa Times contacted indicated they were still assessing damage following the onset of the rains.

Jeremiah Mphande, public relations officer for Disaster management department said so far 1700 families have been displaced by the heavy rains across the country but the number is likely to go up as the rains continue causing havoc.

He said the department has enough relief items and assured people that the government will take care of them.

Last week the department donated 600 maize bags and other assorted to over 600 families hit by the rains in Bangwe, Blantyre. The rains have caused houses to collapse in some instances although the deaths have been caused by people trying to cross flooded running waters.

Unicef has warned Malawi to be on the look out for El nino phenomenon that is likely to cause heavy drought and flooding in some parts of the country.

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