By Emmanuel Chilemba:
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has issued a warning that heavy rains accompanied by damaging winds are expected to persist in some parts of the country.
As of Monday, this week, the devastating weather conditions had already wreaked havoc in Central Region districts of Kasungu and Dowa, leaving many people homeless.
Kasungu Municipal Council Chairperson Isaac Mkandawire said authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage.
Similarly, in Dowa, the severe weather disrupted lessons at Mbayo Primary School in Traditional Authority Chakhaza as strong winds blew off the school’s roofs.
In Chitipa, stormy rains, coupled with hailstorms, also destroyed houses and property in the Ipenza and Navitengo areas within the jurisdiction of Senior Chief Kameme.
Officials in the district confirmed that two children had sustained minor injuries in the disaster.
Reports indicate that more than 30 houses had had their roofs blown away and household items damaged.
According to a weather advisory statement released by DCCMS, the adverse weather conditions are attributed to a zone of unstable air mass.
“Expect locally heavy and thundery rains with lightning and possible damaging winds due to a zone of unstable air mass,” the statement reads.
Additionally, the department forecasts that the heatwave that has been experienced in different parts of the country would subside by today and has advised people to “stay hydrated and cool by drinking plenty of water”.
Meanwhile, DCCMS has predicted that most parts of the country will start receiving rains this week.
Recently, DCCMS Director Lucy Mtilatila was quoted by The Daily Times as saying that there is a possibility that new cyclones may develop in the Indian Ocean due to rising temperatures, although it is not yet certain whether they will affect the country.
“Indeed, these are the first rains and some areas will receive normal rainfall. Typically, the rainfall season begins in October in the country and we urge people to start preparing for agricultural activities,” Mtilatila said.
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