The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) said the Southern Malawi is at high risk of being hit by another wave of Tropical Cyclone this month.
In a weather update that the department issued on Thursday morning, the tropical cyclone is expected to develop in the Indian Ocean Hy Sunday, March 10, 2024 and there are 60% chances that it may get to or closer to some parts of the Southern Region.
Reads the statement in part, “There are 60 per cent chances that the storm may get to or closer to the Southern parts of the country.
“Once the weather system develops, it us expected to continue to intensify and evelove into a moderate Tropical Storm, potentially escalating into a Tropical Cyclone.”
Apart from the tropical cyclone, DCCMS also revealed that many parts of Malawi will continue receiving heavy rains which may result in flooding in flood-prone areas.
In recent years, the country has been at least affected by cyclones every year, leaving some people homeless and destroyed property.
Nearly 508,250 people were displaced and at least 499 killed (as of 20 March, 2023) by the flooding following Tropical Cyclone Freddy, as it made landfall in Malawi, leaving a trail of destruction on livelihoods, houses and infrastructure in its wake.
Since 12 March last year, heavy rains, strong winds, and floods attributed to the cyclone have had a devastating toll on the people across 14 districts – nearly half the country – with at least 1,300 people injured and 427 missing, according to authorities. Those affected were in dire need of humanitarian support with the most immediate needs being shelter, food, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, health, and protection.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), alongside other United Nations (UN) agencies worked with the government of Malawi to support those affected in over 500 accommodation centers across flood-affected areas, the majority of which were in Nsanje, Chikwawa and Mulanje districts.
In a related development, the Department of Water Resources in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation has warned that most major rivers in the Northern Region of Malawi and lakeshore areas are expected to continue experiencing high water levels between March 7 to 14, which may result in flooding.
The department is therefore advising the general public to avoid settling in and crossing flooded rivers and streams.
