The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services says heavy rainfall in northern areas of the country will continue up to next week.

The development follows a downpour of up to 288mm that has been recorded at Kasantha in Kalonga District this week which has also caused floods in the district resulting loss of life and property.

According to Director in the Department Jolamu Nkhokwe, the heavy rainfall is due to the influence of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ICTZ) which is lying over neighbouring Tanzania.

“Following heavy rains that the country has been receiving over northern areas of the country during the past week, Karonga District has reported the highest rainfall amounts as compared to all districts in the north.

“This is due to the ICTZ currently lying over Tanzania, but is extending its influence triggering heavy rains in the northern parts of Malawi,” said in a statement Nkhokwe.

He has since advised that people in the affected areas to consider taking precautionary measures.

“To secure property and lives, the public should take precautionary measures such as moving to higher grounds when water levels have started rising, avoid crossing flooding rivers and not seeking shelter under trees and weak infrastructures,” said Nkhokwe.

He added that weather forecast for northern areas in the next seven days indicates a high chance of continuation of rains associated with thunderstorms due to the influence of ICTZ which is currently over Tanzania.

With heaviest episodes likely to occur from Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 April 2021.