Malawian authorities have issued a flood warning following heavy rains that have lashed the northern parts of the country and the lakeshore region over the past few days.
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation said in a statement on Saturday that most rivers in the north of Malawi and lakeshore regions have expected to continue experiencing high water inflows until April 18, a situation likely to trigger floods in the affected areas.
“The increase in water levels and the possibility of flooding will be due to heavy rains and thunderstorms that are being experienced in the northern and lakeshore areas,” the statement said.
According to the ministry’s flood forecasting model, some 25 rivers are expected to have high river levels over the next week.
These are North Rukuru, South Rukuru, Hara, Nyungwe, Wovwe, Songwe, Kyungu, Lufilya, Limpasa, Nkhula, Lipimbi, Dwambazi, Dwangwa, Bua, Luweya, Kajirilwe, Kakwewa, Kalungulu, Kalwe, Limpasa, Luchelemu, Linthipe, Lingadzi, Lifidzi and Nadzipuru.
The ministry advised the public to refrain from settling in lowlying areas or crossing flooded rivers.
Malawi is prone to flooding during the rainy season and is still smarting from the impact of Cyclone Freddy that claimed scores of lives and damaged infrastructure last year.
JN/APA