6 killed, 1,000 displaced in Malawi floods

LILONGWE, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least four men and two women have died, while over 1,000 people have been left homeless following floods that hit parts of Lilongwe, Malawi's capital, on Saturday evening.

Preliminary assessment indicates that 202 households have been affected but the the number could rise as the assessment is still being carried out, according to Public Relations Officer for the country's Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Chipiliro Khamula, on Monday.

The flooding which resulted from a heavy and stormy downpour affected areas close to river banks the most.

The country's Vice President Saulos Chilima, who also serves as Minister responsible for Disaster Management Affairs in the country, visited the affected areas on Sunday morning to assess the situation and delivered a message of condolence from the country's President Peter Mutharika to the bereaved families.

Chilima said that the government would provide coffins, food and other logistical arrangements, and expressed wish that the death toll would not rise.

He said: "We pray that the number does not increase since a few more people are still missing and search operation to find them is underway."

"We have adequate supplies (of relief items) in our warehouse at the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA)," he added.

Meanwhile, Malawi Red Cross Society, Lilongwe City Council and DoDMA officials are assessing the situation on the ground to come up with a comprehensive report of the impact of the floods. Enditem