Tropical Cyclone Jude affects 169 households in Mulanje

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said preliminary report from Mulanje District Council indicates that floods have affected 169 households in Traditional Authority (TA) Nkanda.

This was disclosed in a press release signed by Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Kalemba, issued on Tuesday March 11 in Blantyre to inform the general public that DoDMA has received preliminary reports from councils on impacts of Tropical Cyclone Jude. 

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“A team from the council has been deployed to conduct further assessments and verifications as the department makes arrangements for provision of relief assistance.

“Currently, districts in the southern region have been experiencing rains and rain drizzles, with the highest rainfall amount (81mm) recorded in Chididi, Nsanje,” reads part of the press release.

The department advised the general public to be on high alert and follow weather updates from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) as rains are expected to intensify in the next 24 hours.

On March 11 morning weather update, DCCMS said that Tropical Cyclone Jude is currently centered over Southern Malawi (around Phalombe) and has significantly reduced its intensity as the center pressure is 1001hPa and moving southwest-wards at reduced speed of 13km/hr. 

“Projections have maintained the Southern Malawi as the most impact area. The areas forecasted to be highly impacted include: Dedza, Salima, Mulanje, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Zomba, Blantyre, Balaka, Ntcheu, Mangochi, Machinga, Neno, Mwanza, Nsanje and Chikwawa.

“Torrential rains will be accompanied by possible damaging winds exceeding with high likelihood of flash flooding in the highlighted areas from Monday,” the report reads.

As a precaution measure, on March 9, Ministry of Basic Education suspended classes in schools in the Southern Region up to Thursday.

In the meantime Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Machinga and Zomba has started loud hearing raising awareness for public to take precautionary measures on Tropical Cyclone Jude.