Flooding, deaths in Malawi following storm Ana

Malawi's disaster commissioner on Thursday said food and shelter was urgently needed following the devastation caused by tropical storm Ana.

At least 19 deaths were confirmed by authorities while over 100 people were reported to have sustained serious injuries in 15 districts after more than a week of heavy rains.

According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, over 200,000 people have been affected and many have been displaced. Efforts to transport food supplies to the affected areas were being hampered by flooding.

Malawi’s main highway has been cut off by the flooding and many people are feared trapped by the surging waters. Meanwhile, there are fears that Malawi may be hit by a moderate Tropical storm Batsirai that weather experts confirm has developed in the Indian Ocean, almost 4,000 kilometers away from Malawi.