The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) says efforts are ongoing to recover five people who are believed to be buried under huge rocks following hailstorm and landslide in Rumphi on Saturday.

DoDMA Executive Director Harris Kachale said Malawi Defense Force soldiers are on the ground to try to retrieve the bodies.

The disaster followed a heavy downfall in Mphompha Hills which triggered flood waters that carried heavy rocks which swept away houses and belongings for 20 households.

Nine people were injured and are currently receiving treatment.

Ten houses were completely damaged by big rocks that destroyed everything on its path including walls.

The running water also ravaged some of the classroom blocks at Msuku Primary school and washing away some desks and other teaching and learning materials to the lake.

Crops and animals were also swept away and buried by mud and rocks in the tragedy thereby affecting ten agricultural households.