By Rahim Abdul
Five people who had been reported missing after devastating floods in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, have been confirmed dead, deepening the tragedy caused by the recent heavy rains.
The victims include four adult men and a seven-year-old girl who was swept away by strong floodwaters when the Dwangwa River overflowed.
Nkhotakota District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Romatchinga Nkhata, said the number of people reported missing continues to increase as assessments and search operations progress.
Nkhata explained that some of the bodies recovered were not initially reported missing by family members but were later found buried under mud and debris left by the floods.
He said this has complicated efforts to establish the full scale of the disaster, as more victims are being discovered during ongoing rescue operations.
Search and rescue teams, working with local community members, remain on the ground searching for other people believed to have been affected by the floods.
The rescue mission has been hampered by muddy terrain, damaged roads and dangerous water currents in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, a pregnant woman who fell into the Dwangwa River after the canoe she was travelling in capsized while she was on her way to a health facility is still missing.
Authorities say the search for the woman has been intensified along the riverbanks and downstream areas.
The Nkhotakota District Council has urged residents living in flood-prone zones to stay alert and follow safety warnings as emergency teams continue responding to the disaster.
