Nkhotakota floods claim 6 lives -DoDMA

The death toll in the Nkhotakota flash floods has risen to six and four injuries.

This is according to the latest figures from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) on the floods that hit the district last week.

The disaster has affected a total of 14,176 people out of which 9,378 have been displaced and are living in evacuation camps.

Those in camps include 1,638 under-five children, 287 pregnant women, 305 lactating mothers, 46 people with disabilities and 82 elderly persons.

DoDMA has further revealed that by gender, 7,189 are males and 6,987 females.

“The search and rescue (SAR) team led by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) continues to undertake their selfless operations. With assistance and commitment of a local SAR team largely comprising fishermen, the team has located, rescued and evacuated 1,100 people who were trapped in various areas.

“Relief items are needed in large quantities and the department calls upon companies, organisations, humanitarian partners and individuals of goodwill to lend a helping hand,” reads part of DoDMA’s statement.

A report from Nkhotakota District Council stated that Dwangwa area experienced heavy rains that led to the flooding of Dwangwa and Kaombe Rivers.