Natural Disasters Toll Increases to 39 Lives This Rainy Season

Natural disasters have resulted in 39 fatalities this rainy season, primarily due to lightning strikes and collapsing walls. The injury count has risen to 483, and the number of affected households has increased significantly, prompting Dodma to provide essential relief to 80 percent of those impacted.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has reported that natural disasters have resulted in the deaths of 39 individuals this rainy season. The statement, signed by Commissioner for Disaster Charles Kalemba, highlights that the majority of these fatalities were due to lightning strikes, with 26 deaths attributed to such incidents and 13 to collapsing walls.

Among the recent fatalities are two infants, merely three months old, who tragically lost their lives to lightning strikes in Mzuzu City and Nkhata Bay District. Concurrently, injuries related to these disasters have surged to 483, predominantly caused by lightning and structural damage from falling walls and roofs.

In an interview, Dodma Public Relations Officer Chipiliro Khamula indicated that this year’s death toll is more than double that of the previous rainy season. He noted that previously, only 17 deaths and 67 injuries had been recorded by this time in the 2023/24 rainy season from an affected population of 73,345.

The statement reveals that the impact of natural disasters, particularly floods, has significantly escalated, with affected households soaring from 35,661 on 7 February 2025 to 40,178 as of 5 March 2025, representing approximately 180,801 individuals. Among these, 809 households have been displaced due to the recurrent disasters of storms, hailstorms, strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning.

In response, Dodma has successfully provided assistance to 80 percent of affected households, distributing essential supplies, including maize, beans, blankets, pails, and plastic sheets for temporary shelter.

In summary, the ongoing rainy season has proven devastating, with natural disasters claiming 39 lives and injuring hundreds. The sharp increase in fatalities, particularly from lightning strikes, emphasizes the severity of the situation compared to previous years. Dodma’s efforts to assist affected households demonstrate a commitment to alleviating the suffering caused by these disasters, though the need for continued response remains critical as the number of affected individuals grows.

Original Source: www.nyasatimes.com