Heavy rains, floods kills three, displace over 32000 Malawians in 13 districts

By Shamuda Drake

A report by the Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has indicated that heavy incessant rains experienced between 22nd and 28th December 2025 has killed three people and displaced about 7,205 households (approximately 32,422 people) with 41 injuries in 13 districts of the country.

The heavy rains have caused extensive flooding in Nkhotakota PIC Mana

In a Press statement released today, 30th December 2025, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Wilson Moleni said the 13 district councils include Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Lilongwe City, Lilongwe district, Mulanje, Nkhatabay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje and Salima.

However, missing on the affected list is Likoma and Chizumulu islands which DoDMA has confirmed earlier today to have had a preliminary record of 342 households affected after their houses have been destroyed from the same.

“The preliminarily verified information shows 7,205 affected households (approximately 32,422 people) affected from the incessant rains experienced between 22nd and 28th December,2025. However, the department says it will continue to update the public on the status of disasters and any related developments.

“The Disaster of Management Affairs (DoDMA) has embarked on distribution exercise of food and relief items in the district’s councils affected by incessant rains. "Provision of relief assistance is on-going and the department will reach out to all the affected people as per verified reports from affected district councils," reads the statement in part.

Meanwhile, the department has put on standby deployment of the national search team from the Malawi Defense Force (MDF), the Malawi Police Service (MPS) the Marine Department and the Malawi Red Cross.

Dodma has further advised Councils in disaster prone areas to alert Area Disaster Risk Management Committees (ADRMCs) to assist the vulnerable communities to move to nearby evacuation centres.

"DoDMA, is also working with the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) and councils in disseminating early warning messages as threat of flash floods remains high," said Commissioner Moleni in the statement.

The ongoing heavy rains have also negatively affected the transport sector where a bridge on the M5 road, at Nkhotakota boma and another at Mphomphwa in Kasungu on M1 road have been rendered impassible putting the economic activities at a standstill.

A bridge at M5 road cut by floods Pic Mana

According to Dodma, rescue operations are being conducted in Nsanje and Nkhotakota districts where injuries have been reported due to collapsing walls.

Among assistance include maize, beans, blankets, pails and plastic sheets meant for temporary roofing.