Blantyre, Malawi: The death toll from flooding in Malawi has risen to 48 and nearly 70,000 people are now without homes, the country’s president announced as he appealed for international assistance.
“Since the flooding started 13,999 households have been affected with 69,995 rendered homeless, 48 lives have so far been lost since the national disaster hit,” President Peter Mutharika said in a statement issued Tuesday.
The floods caused by heavy rains have affected half of the southern African country’s 28 districts — mostly in the south of the nation which is among the world’s poorest.
Officials had earlier on Tuesday reported at least 19 deaths registered in recent days.
“The floods are a national tragedy that urgently needs both local and international response,” Mutharika said.
Roads and rail lines have been cut by flooded rivers, which according to officials have also swept away surprised bystanders, people fleeing in canoes and sleeping families in their homes.
Meanwhile, disaster management officials say 10 people have been killed and thousands more displaced during heavy flooding in Mozambique.
Rita Almeida, spokeswoman for the Disaster Management Office, said on Wednesday nearly 20,000 people have been displaced by flooding.
She said seven people died trying to cross the Licungo river in the Zambezia province, while three were struck by lightning in the northern Niassa province.
District manager Teresa Mauhai told Radio Mozambique on Tuesday police are also searching for 18 children who went missing in the Mocuba region near the Licungo river.
Flooding has also damaged one of main roads connecting the north and south of the country. Emergency services are using boats to access flood victims.
Mozambique’s government on Monday issued a red alert for disaster readiness for the central and northern provinces.
