Heavy rains displace people in Malawi

About 500 household in Malawi have been displaced following heavy rains caused by a tropical cyclone called Funso in the Mozambique Channel.

Starvation is now looming in the southern part of the country after crops were destroyed and animals swept away in the process as residents risk getting water-borne diseases according to Nsanje District Commissioner Rodney Simwaka.

“About 323 houses have been completely destroyed while 125 houses are filled with water,” he said.

Mr Simwaka said the affected people have sought shelter in nearby schools.

He added that the displaced people are in dire need of food and blankets while pointing out that his office is still compiling a report on the disaster before submitting to the government.

Meanwhile, the country's Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has warned people to move out of the disaster-prone areas as the tropical cyclone gradually moves eastwards

“Funso is expected to remain in the Mozambique Channel. At this position the Congo Air mass will cause rainfall over the northern half of Malawi while unstable moist air from the Indian Ocean will maintain torrential rains and trigger flooding in flood-prone areas mainly over the southern half of Malawi,” they said in a press statement.