At least twenty three people have died and twelve others are reported missing following heavy rains and flooding in southern Malawi according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The UN body also estimates that 29 people were injured and 115,000 others were adversely affected, though that figure is expected to rise as security and humanitarian teams reach new areas.
The events, believed to have been caused by a “tropical disturbance”, hit at least 13 districts resulting in President Peter Mutharika declaring a state of disaster on Friday in areas adversely affected. The country’s Department of Disaster has deployed search and rescue teams to partner with the Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police Service, Malawi Red Cross Society and affected district councils to assist victims who are either trapped or displaced.
The extent of the damage is yet to be fully assessed, though local media reports indicate that about 80% of the country’s available hydro-electric power at Electricity Generation Company, the main electricity generator, was down.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement, extended his condolences to families of the flood victims saying the loss of lives and significant damage to people’s homes and livelihoods “deeply saddened” him.
