Malawi Braces for Potential Moderate Tropical Storm
The department has prepositioned search and rescue equipment and arranged for deployment of a team comprising the military, police, marine department and Red Cross Society if needed.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi's Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has advised the public to take precautionary measures as the country braces for a potential moderate tropical storm that could bring heavy rains and flooding beginning Sunday, writes Winston Mwale.
In a statement issued Friday, DoDMA said the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has warned that "a low pressure system currently in the Mozambique Channel is likely to evolve into a moderate Tropical Storm."
"Although the path of the pressure system is still not certain, there is a 60 per cent chance that it may get closer to the southern part of Malawi thereby triggering heavy rains which may cause flooding from Sunday, 10th March, 2024," the statement said.
DoDMA has recommended several measures for the public, including moving to safer and higher areas urgently, following weather updates, avoiding crossing flooded rivers, staying away from power lines, and not attempting to save property at the expense of lives.
"DoDMA is treating the warning with urgency. Apart from alerting councils; DoDMA has activated all clusters (sector working groups) for swift anticipatory actions," the statement said.
The department has prepositioned search and rescue equipment and arranged for deployment of a team comprising the military, police, marine department and Red Cross Society if needed.
Disaster-prone areas have been told to alert communities to move to evacuation centers. Chipiliro Khamula, DoDMA's public relations officer, said councils should alert the department if communities are affected.