Natural Disasters Result in 39 Fatalities This Rainy Season

Natural disasters have resulted in 39 deaths this rainy season, with 26 fatalities from lightning strikes and 13 from falling walls. Total injuries have reached 483. The number of affected households has escalated, prompting Dodma to provide relief to 80 percent of them.

Natural disasters have tragically claimed 39 lives during the ongoing rainy season, according to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma). This statement, issued by Commissioner for Disaster Charles Kalemba, highlights that the majority of these fatalities stemmed from lightning strikes, with 13 deaths attributed to falling walls of homes.

Among the recent casualties were two infants, only three months old, who tragically lost their lives due to lightning incidents in Mzuzu City and Nkhata Bay District. The total count of injuries now stands at 483, reflecting an increase from the previous total of 469, primarily resulting from lightning and structural damage.

Chipiliro Khamula, the Public Relations Officer at Dodma, indicated that the number of fatalities this season is significantly higher compared to the previous year, with 17 deaths recorded during the same period of the 2023/24 rainy season, alongside 67 injuries among 73,345 affected individuals.

Additionally, the statement noted that the number of individuals affected by natural disasters, particularly floods, has more than doubled from the previous year. Currently, approximately 40,178 households, encompassing around 180,801 individuals, have been adversely impacted by various disasters such as heavy rains, storms, and hail, representing an increase from 35,661 households noted on February 7, 2025. Among these, 809 households have been displaced.

In response to these challenges, the department has successfully distributed aid to 80 percent of the affected households. Relief efforts include the provision of essential food and non-food items, such as maize, beans, blankets, pails, and plastic sheeting for temporary roofing.

In summary, the ongoing rainy season has proven devastating, resulting in 39 fatalities and nearly 500 injuries, predominantly due to lightning strikes and structural collapses. The number of affected households has significantly increased, leading to a robust response from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, which has successfully reached a majority of those in need with critical aid supplies.

Original Source: www.nyasatimes.com