Floods and heavy rain that began on 06 January 2016, continue to affect the southern African nation of Angola.
Earlier this week, flooding, storms and heavy rain were reported in several parts of Angola, including the capital Luanda, and the provinces of Bié, Moxico and Malanje, leaving at least 2 people dead and over 1,000 displaced.
Since then Angola News Agency ANGOP have reported that heavy rain and floods in Benguela province have forced as many as 10,000 from their homes. The affected areas include the communes of Bolonguera and Camuine, both in Chongoroi municipality. Transport and road access has been severely hampered by the flooding.
Over 60 people died in floods in Lobito, Benguela province, in March last year.
Elsewhere in Angola, heavy rain was also reported in Lunda Sul province between 08 and 10 January. As of 15 January, no fatalities or evacuations have been reported. ANGOP say that the rain caused damage to fish farms in the Muangueji area of Saurimo, the provincial capital.
Malawi Flood Warnings
Parts of Malawi has also saw damaging heavy rains from around 08 January 2016. Over 600 houses and wide areas of crops in Kasungu District, Central Region were damaged or destroyed.
Malawi News Agency also reported that flash floods in Northern Region destroyed homes in 5 villages in the Rumphi district. Locals said that 2 to 3 hours of torrential rain on Friday 08 January 2016 caused flood damage in five villages.
Yesterday officials from the country’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) warned of flooding in Zomba district in Southern Region this month.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency, Zomba Assistant Disaster Risk Management Affairs Officer, Florence Ntepa, said the forecast has been confirmed by the meteorological department.
“Following the news from the meteorological department, we have issued warnings to communities to help minimize loss of life and property should it flood again this year,” said Ntepa.
Zomba district was one of the areas hardest hit by Malawi’s flood disaster last year.
