Natural Disasters Result in Increased Fatalities This Rainy Season

Natural disasters have resulted in 39 fatalities this rainy season, primarily due to lightning and falling structures. Access to aid has been rendered to many affected households, yet the numbers reflect a concerning increase compared to previous years.

Natural disasters have resulted in the tragic loss of 39 lives during the current rainy season, as reported by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) in a statement from Commissioner for Disaster Charles Kalemba. Of these fatalities, 26 were caused by lightning strikes, while the remaining 13 deaths resulted from falling walls of houses.

The report highlighted that the recent tally of deaths includes two infants, merely three months old, who were victims of lightning in Mzuzu City and the Nkhata Bay District. The number of people injured has risen to 483, predominantly from lightning incidents and structural collapses, reflecting an increase from 469 previously reported.

In a statement by Dodma Public Relations Officer Chipiliro Khamula, it was noted that the current death count is significantly higher than that of the previous rainy season, more than doubling the figures reported during the same period of the 2023/24 season, which recorded 17 deaths and 67 injuries out of 73,345 affected individuals.

Furthermore, the statement indicated that occurrences of natural disasters, including floods, have impacted over twice as many individuals compared to last year. As of March 5, 2025, a total of 40,178 households, representing approximately 180,801 individuals, have been affected by severe weather conditions such as storms, hailstorms, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning. Out of these, 809 households have been displaced.

Despite these challenges, Dodma reported that they have successfully delivered aid to 80 percent of the affected households, providing essential food and non-food supplies including maize, beans, blankets, pails, and plastic sheets for temporary roofing.

The ongoing rainy season has led to a significant increase in fatalities and injuries due to natural disasters, namely lightning strikes and structural collapses. The impact has been felt across many households, reflecting a disturbing rise in affected individuals compared to previous years. Despite these challenges, relief efforts by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs have managed to provide assistance to a significant portion of those in need, underlining the resilience and ongoing support efforts in the region.

Original Source: www.nyasatimes.com

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