Chikwawa District is reeling from flash floods that hit over 2,000 households, leaving a trail of destruction and desperation.
The relentless rains from Thursday to Saturday have collapsed houses, soaked food supplies, and left families struggling to survive.
Charity Machika, Disaster Risk Management Officer, described the scene as “dire”, with reports of collapsed houses flooding in since December 26.
“The continuous rains have caused houses to collapse and damaged food supplies,” she said, her words echoing the fears of many.
By December 27, authorities had counted 2,030 affected households, with four people injured in T/A Chapananga. The injured received outpatient treatment, but the scale of destruction is overwhelming.
Areas like Maseya, Ngabu, Chapananga, Makhuwira, and Ngowe are bearing the brunt, with Ngabu topping the list.
Food and shelter are the immediate needs, with leaders racing against time to respond. “We need food assistance and plastic sheets to keep families safe,” authorities plead.
As leaders work to address the crisis, the rains’ toll on vulnerable communities is stark. Families are counting their losses, wondering what’s next.