HEAVY RAINFALL KILLS 13, INJURES 35 IN MALAWI AS FLOODING WORSENS

March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

At least 13 people have been killed in Malawi following four consecutive days of heavy rainfall, with some victims dying from collapsing walls and others swept away while attempting to cross flooded rivers, officials said on Thursday.

The largely rural southern African nation was battered by intense rainfall that triggered widespread flooding between Sunday and Wednesday, according to the country’s disaster management department.

After preliminary assessments, “the department has recorded 13 deaths and 35 injuries,” it stated.

The southern district of Chikwawa recorded the highest impact, where three people lost their lives and three evacuation camps have been established to shelter displaced residents.

Chikwawa, which shares a border with central Mozambique, remains at risk as neighbouring areas have also experienced heavy rainfall, with disaster management officials warning of possible flooding.

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Authorities have also warned that more rainfall is expected in the coming days in the aid-dependent country, according to the weather service.

Malawi’s economy, which relies heavily on agriculture, remains highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks, including a drought in 2024 and a devastating cyclone the previous year that claimed more than 1,000 lives.