Rains cause havoc in Malawi: Roofs blown off, vehicles damaged

Heavy rains accompanied by high speed wind have blown off house roofs in Blantyre and damaged some vehicles as the onset of first rains start on sad note.

The most affected areas are Limbe where a falling tree damaged two vehicles and blew of some roof in Bangwe where a Catholic Church building had its roof blown off along with a dozen houses and Makhetha where a public health centre had its roof blown off as well.

Hospital workers promptly secured all medicine and have since been kept at the referral hospital, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

Limbe police spokesman Pedzisai Zembeneko said there were no casualties and the cost of damage is being worked out as some shops were flooded with rain water.

There are also reports of similar damages due to heavy rains in Mitundu, Lilongwe.

In Mzimba, over 500 people from chiefs Mpherembe, Maulao and Mtwaro are homeless followiing heavy rains in the areas.

Unicef has warned of heavy rains and flooding and drought in some parts of Africa including Malawi.-Additional reporting by Owen Khamula, Nyasa Times