Tropical Cyclone Chido Claims Seven Lives in Malawi, Displaces Thousands
Malawi is grappling with the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Chido, which has claimed the lives of at least seven people and displaced over 30,000 others, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). The storm, which originated in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar, made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday before sweeping across Malawi, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Officials have reported widespread damage to infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, and residential homes. Chipiliro Khamula, spokesperson for DoDMA, revealed that 7,721 households—representing approximately 34,741 individuals—have been affected by the cyclone. The death toll includes three fatalities in Salima district, with the districts of Kasungu, Machinga, Blantyre, and Lilongwe each reporting one death. Emergency response teams are conducting detailed assessments to determine the full extent of the damage and c...