Malawi: Floods - Feb 2024

Heavy rainfall had been affecting the central part of Malawi since the last week of February, causing flooding and resulting in casualties and damage. As of 6 March, media reported six fatalities, four injured people and more than 14,000 displaced people in Nkhotakota District, in Central Region, due to flash floods. In addition, several areas were isolated due to flooded roads and several infrastructures were damaged. (ECHO, 6 Mar 2024)

Between 27th February and 1st March 2024, Nkhotakota and Karonga districts experienced prolonged heavy rains that caused flooding of several rivers; 28,285 people (2280 households) need WASH services; 11,169 people (2115 Households) are in IDP camps while 17,116 are their homes in Nkhotakota district. Five boreholes and 979 taps were affected in Nkhotakota while 15 water sources (13 shallow wells and 2 boreholes) were affected in Karonga district. Immediate maintenance and rehabilitation of piped water supply system remain critical especially at Dwangwa town as well Nkhotakota Boma. Sanitation and Hygiene promotion remain critical in all camps to prevent disease outbreak. WASH Partners continue to provide humanitarian support to the affected population in all the affected districts. (UNICEF, WASH Cluster 15 Mar 2024)

Flash floods hit Malawi’s Nkhotakota district after incessant rains in the region, leaving affected areas inaccessible by road due to widespread damage to infrastructure. The floods left six people dead and has displaced thousands of others in Malawi’s central region last week. Torrential rains also affected Karonga district in northern region. This development comes a year after Cyclone Freddy ripped through Malawi and neighbouring Mozambique and Madagascar, killing more than 500 people, mostly Malawians. More than 14 000 people have been affected in the latest bout of floods. (WHO, 20 Mar 2024)

On Saturday, 23rd of March, President Chakwera declared a State of Disaster in 23 out of 28 districts affected by El Nino conditions, citing inadequate rains, floods, and prolonged dry spells that severely damaged crops and food production because of climate change and the current El Nino season during the current rainy season (October 2023 to March 2024).As per preliminary assessments, nearly two (2) million families have been affected. Floods have affected 92,600 people in eight (8) districts, of which 63,932 were displaced from their homes and had to seek temporary shelter in camps as of 31 March. The floods have particularly impacted the district of Nkhotakota, where more than 80,000 people were affected and over 10,500 displaced. Also, in Nkhotakota, more than 18,700 learners (9,280 boys and 9,517 girls), including 109 with disabilities, were affected by the floods in 24 schools (20 primary and two secondary schools). In 12 schools, out of 44 classrooms, 12 were occupied by people displaced by the floods, thus disrupting learning. (UNICEF, 24 Apr 2024)

152,910 people (33,980 households) were affected by floods in Nkhotakota. 10,529 people were rendered homeless and sheltered in 12 camps in Nkhotakota. Affected areas included Kanyenda, Mphonde, Malengachanzi, Kalimanjira, Kafudzira, Nkhanga and Mwadzama Traditional Authorities, with Kanyenda and Mponda being worst affected, Currently, Nkhotakota has four active camps out of 12 established camps in March, in TA Kanyenda and Mponda. 4,555 people were affected by floods in Karonga district. 516 displaced sheltered across five camps and the remaining displaced people were sheltered at their relative's houses or established temporary shelters in the Karonga district. (UNICEF, 28 May 2024)