More than 160,000 people across the country have been displaced by floods triggered by continuous rainfall in December 2025 with authorities warning that limited funding is constraining emergency response and recovery efforts.
According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), strong winds, storms, flash floods and lightning have affected 36,283 households since the start of the rainy season, representing about 163,274 people.
At least 40 people have died, while 209 others sustained injuries.
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DoDMA spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula said the disasters have caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods in several districts, with some communities experiencing sudden flash floods.
“One of the major affected areas was Kota Kota, where devastating flash floods occurred in December 2025 following continuous rainfall. The floods destroyed houses, displaced families and disrupted access to basic services, forcing authorities to establish camps to provide temporary shelter for affected households,” said Khamula.
Khamula said DoDMA initially established 14 displacement camps in Nkhotakota to accommodate affected families, but early recovery efforts have enabled authorities to decommission most of the camps.
DoDMA has since developed the Nkhotakota Floods Emergency Resource Plan, which focuses on restoring basic services, preventing secondary disaster risks and supporting recovery in flood-affected areas.
“Through coordinated early recovery interventions, including supporting households to return home, we have managed to close all but one camp. Families have been provided with return-home packages containing maize, beans, blankets, plastic sheets, water treatment chemicals and salt to help them restart their lives,” he added.
Khamula said the plan prioritises stabilising livelihoods, addressing health and sanitation challenges and reducing the risk of disease outbreaks in communities affected by floods and storms.
However, he warned that funding shortfalls are limiting the full implementation of response and recovery activities.
“So far, about K4.6 billion has been mobilised for response and recovery, but we still have a funding gap of approximately K4 billion,” Khamula said. “This gap is affecting our ability to fully support affected households, particularly as the rainy season is still ongoing and more communities remain at risk.”
He appealed to development partners and the private sector to support the government’s response efforts.
The country frequently experiences floods and storms during the rainy season, often resulting in loss of life, displacement and damage to crops and infrastructure.
Authorities have warned that continued rainfall could worsen the situation in flood-prone areas, underscoring the need for sustained preparedness and resilience measures.