2026 Malawi floods
| Date | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cause | Heavy rainfall |
| Deaths | 40+ |
In early 2026, floods caused by heavy rainfall affected parts of Malawi, killing dozens of people. Rural areas where agriculture industries are based have been particularly affected.[1] An extimated 160,000 people have been affected by the floods.[2] In a statement signed by Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Wilson Moleni, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said that the floods have impacted 36,283 households in 29 councils since the rain began.[3] Particularly affected is Chikwawa District in the Southern Region where the basin of the Shire River has flooded.[4] Other districts affected include Balaka, Blantyre City, Blantyre District, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe City, Lilongwe District, Likoma, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mzimba, Neno, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba City and Zomba District.[5] The government's disaster management agency has provided aid and support to those affected.[6] The European Union also announced aid.[7] The Malawi Red Cross provided assistance to 20,000 people in Nkhotakota.[8]
References
- ^ "Thousands displaced as flooding devastates wetland crops in Malawi". RFI. 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ "Malawi Red Cross early action in the face of killer 'storms, strong winds, flash floods, lightning' – Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre". www.climatecentre.org. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ Chiputula, Eric (2026-01-22). "Floods, storms hit over 163,000 people as Malawi faces 47% disaster funding gap Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ "Heavy rains and floods displace families in Malawi". Islamic Relief. 21 February 2026.
- ^ "DoDMA reports 40 deaths, over 36,000 households affected by rain-related disasters | Malawi Voice". 2026-01-22. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ "Malawi Flood Toll Rises To 40 As Destruction Worsts - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2026-01-22. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ Times, The Brussels. "EU pledges emergency aid for Malawi after flooding displaces thousands". www.brusselstimes.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ "Malawi Red Cross early action in the face of killer 'storms, strong winds, flash floods, lightning' – Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre". www.climatecentre.org. Retrieved 2026-03-11.