At least 36 people have died, and more than 160,000 others have been affected by rain-related disasters across Malawi since the start of the 2025/2026 rainy season, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has confirmed.
In a statement, Commissioner for Wilson Moleni said the disasters, mainly stormy rains, strong winds, flash floods and lightning, have so far affected 35,758 households in 29 councils across the country.
“Cumulatively, 35,758 households (approximately 160,011 people) have been affected since 1st September 2025. The department has recorded 36 deaths, 168 injuries and two missing persons,” reads the statement.
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The district is also hosting 2,132 displaced households, representing about 9,594 people, who are currently staying in 12 evacuation camps.
DoDMA says it has meanwhile launched emergency response operations and is currently distributing food and non-food relief items to affected communities.
“Currently, DoDMA is reaching out to the affected with food and non-food items. Provision of relief assistance is on-going, and the department will reach out to all the affected people as per verified reports from affected councils,” the statement reads.
The department added that search and recovery operations are still underway in Nkhotakota district.
Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has warned of continued threats of flash floods in several districts including Nkhotakota, Salima, Mzimba, Kasungu, Nkhata Bay, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntchisi, Mzuzu, Likoma, Machinga, Mangochi, Zomba and Balaka.
As a precaution, DoDMA has advised councils in high-risk areas to move communities to nearby evacuation centres and has placed the national Search and Rescue team on high alert, with standby arrangements already made to deploy rescue teams where needed.