The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) says it has recorded five deaths all caused by lightning strikes since the onset 2023/2024 rainfall season.
According to a statement issued by Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Charles Kalemba, 46 people have so far injured and the total number of affected households has risen to 4,751 across 14 districts.
Reads the statement in part: “The total number of affected households has risen from 961 (as reported in our statement dated December 12, 2023) to 4,751, which is approximately 21,379 people. Out of the total number of the affected households, 2,676 are male-headed whereas 2,075 are female-headed.
“The department has recorded five deaths (all caused by lightning strikes) and 46 injuries largely caused by stormy rains. Out of the total number of the injured, 29 are males while 17 are females.”
DoDMA says since the onset of the rainy season to date disasters; mainly stormy rains, strong winds and lightning, have affected 14 councils namely: Chiradzulu, Dowa, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mchinji, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Nsanje, Rumphi, Salima and Thyolo.
Kalemba said the department has reached out to 3,829 households with food and non-food items which include maize, beans, blankets, pails and plastic sheets.
“Provision of relief assistance is on-going and the department, in collaboration with various humanitarian partners, will reach out to all the affected people as per the reports from affected councils,” he said.
The Commissioner has since called upon the general public to make good use of the rainy season by planting trees around their premises to act as buffer zones in case of strong winds and stormy rains in the near future.
The department has reiterated calls for the general public to pay attention to daily weather forecast and postpone all open space activities if forecast calls for thunderstorms, seek enclosed shelter immediately when caught out in the open during thunderstorms, and avoid seeking shelter under the tree.
