Floods affect thousands in Malawi

  1. Posted on Wednesday 25 March 2009 - 10:45
    Sam Banda Junior
    Image of Sam Banda Junior
    Sam Banda Jnr, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
    Over 3400 families in Malawi have been affected by floods in the southern region district of Nsanje due to persistent rains that have soaked most parts of the country. Nsanje is one of the districts in the country that experiences floods every year due to the swelling of Malawi's biggest river-Shire.
    floods
    The river takes its water from Lake Malawi and its outlet is – Zambezi River in neighbouring Mozambique.

    Of the total, some 680 families have been displaced in 31 villages in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo, District Commissioner Rodney Simwaka said according to the Daily Times.

    The floods have also destroyed 1360 hectares of cotton, maize, millet and sorghum fields, said the official.

    “The assessment shows that a lot of crops have been destroyed,” said Simwaka.

    The displaced families are being sheltered at two primary schools and churches in the district.

    The DC has since appealed for immediate assistance for the families in terms of kitchen utensils, plastic sheets and food.

    The African continent is currently experiencing the rainy season and Malawi has for the past few days received heavy rains

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