The Department of Disaster management Affairs (DODMA) has disclosed that since the onset of rains last year, five people have been killed with 46 others injured due to either stormy rains, strong winds or lightning.

According to statement signed by, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs at Dodma Charles Kalemba, 14 districts have been affected and the number of households affected has risen from 961 to 4,751 affecting over 21,000 people.

The affected councils includes Chiradzulu, Dowa, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mchinji, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Nsanje, Rumphi, Salima, and Thyolo.

The department has, managed to provide various assistance such as maize, beans, blankets, kitchen utensils and roofing sheets to 3,829 households representing 81% of the total number of the affected households from the fourteen (14) affected states.

However, Dodma has asked people in this country to take precautionary measures to minimize disaster-related uncertainties.