Thousands displaced as authorities warn toll may increase with ongoing assessments
Malawi’s government on Thursday said the death toll from recent heavy rains and flooding has risen to 34, with officials warning that the number could climb further as rescue and assessment teams reach more affected communities.
According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, the latest figure was compiled from 23 of the country’s 36 councils. Authorities said the situation remains fluid, as some areas were initially inaccessible due to rising waters and damaged infrastructure, delaying a full account of the destruction.
The updated death toll marks a sharp increase from earlier figures released on March 19, when authorities reported 13 deaths based on data from 16 councils. The revised number underscores the growing scale of the disaster as more reports continue to emerge from across the country.
Beyond the fatalities, the floods have left widespread humanitarian and economic damage. Officials said around 310,000 people have been affected, while 6,155 households have been displaced from their homes. Many of those uprooted by the flooding are now sheltering in 84 temporary camps established in the worst-hit areas.
The disaster has also dealt a heavy blow to agriculture, a vital sector in Malawi’s largely agrarian economy. Floodwaters destroyed livestock and washed away crops, including tobacco, one of the country’s key export earners. The losses are expected to deepen hardship for farming families and could have wider implications for food supply and rural incomes.
Disaster management authorities said assessments are still ongoing, raising the possibility that both the death toll and the number of affected people may rise further. Humanitarian concerns are also mounting as displaced families continue to depend on emergency shelter and relief support.
With more communities still being assessed, officials say the full scale of the flooding’s impact has yet to be determined.
