11 dead, thousand displaced as severe storms hit Malawi

DoDMA reported on December 3 that storms, hail, heavy rainfall, and lightning had caused widespread destruction in parts of the country. The agency documented 11 fatalities, with 8 caused by lightning strikes and 3 due to collapsing walls and roofs.

A total of 10 833 households, approximately 48 748 individuals, were affected, leading to extensive displacement. Most suffered harm due to lightning strikes and structural collapses, among those injured.

Chipiliro Khamula, the spokesperson for DoDMA, shared during a press briefing in Lilongwe that the rains had damaged homes and schools, disrupting education in several areas.

“We are trying all what we can to provide support to the affected families and individuals so that they should be safe before some heavy rains start coming again,” Khamula stated.

Lightning killed 4 students and injured 2 others at a trading center 45 km (28 miles) north of Lilongwe on December 1. The students were attending secondary school when the tragic event occurred.

The disaster is marked as one of the most severe lightning-related incidents during the 2024 rainy season.

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) issued a warning for the ongoing rainy season, predicting further thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in northern regions due to the active Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

The department is urging citizens to avoid outdoor activities during storms and to seek shelter in enclosed, safe spaces rather than under trees or weak structures.

Malawi is still reeling from the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which struck in February and March 2023. The cyclone killed 679 individuals, left over 530 missing, and displaced nearly 700 000 people.

The cyclone affected a total of 2.2 million residents and caused irreparable damage to the country’s infrastructure. Recovery from this disaster remains ongoing along with the challenges posed by the current rainy season.

The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Mwaulambo, Karonga, with 181 mm (7.1 inches) over 24 hours, between November 25 and December 1.

Nkhata Bay followed closely with 113.3 mm (4.5 inches). Temperatures soared as high as 43 °C (109.4 °F) in Ngabu on November 28. Winds across water bodies like Lake Malawi remain rough, prompting authorities to advise against unnecessary travel.

DoDMA and its development partners have begun providing essential relief items such as maize, beans, blankets, pails, and plastic sheets to affected households. The agency has also encouraged farmers to consult localized seasonal forecasts to plan agricultural activities effectively during the rainy season.

References:

¹ Eleven Die In Heavy rains In Malawi – INDEPENDENT – December 4, 2024

² WEATHER FORECAST – DCCMS – November 30, 2024

³ 2024/25 rainfall season claims 11 lives – Malawi 24 – December 3, 2024

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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