LILONGWE, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people have died and nearly 50,000 people have been affected in various ways in Malawi since the onset of the rains in early November, the country's Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the DoDMA, the disasters mainly included storms, gales, hails, heavy rains and lightning, and affected a total of 10,833 households, or 48,748 people.
"The department has recorded 11 deaths, out of which eight have been caused by lightning strikes, while three are a result of collapsing walls and roofs," said the statement, signed by Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Charles Kalemba. "The department has also recorded 79 injuries, with the majority caused by lightning and damaged walls and roofs."
On Friday, lightning killed four secondary school students and injured two at a trading center 45 km north of Lilongwe, the country's capital.
According to the DoDMA, all households affected by the rainy season in one way or another are being supported by the government of Malawi and development partners with essential food and non-food items.
Malawi is still recovering from Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which struck in February and March 2023, killing 679 people and leaving over 530 missing in 16 districts and cities. The cyclone affected more than 2.2 million people and rendered nearly 700,000 homeless. ■