Malawi – Massive Flooding in Karonga district

For the past 2 to 3 weeks, Malawi has been experiencing high rainfall in most of its districts. On the night of the 7th of April heavy rains flooded Karonga district leaving around 3,287 people from 60 villages destitute. With the ongoing assessments the numbers for the people affected is expected to rise. Both North Rukuru and Songwe rivers burst their banks, in the process collapsing a dyke that was constructed to block North Rukuru river from reaching the district headquarters causing extensive flooding around the District Assembly including the main market, offices and residential houses. Most houses have collapsed and people are staying in the open on the main road to Tanzania. Some of the affected people are currently staying in schools. Fields have been washed away and some have been submerged in water. An area stretching nearly 60 kilometres has been affected.