As Malawi continue reeling from the devastating Tropical Cyclone Freddy, a child has died in Balaka after being swept away by the flooding water in Traditional Authority Chakanza on Wednesday- marking the district’s first death from the cyclone.
The district’s spokesperson Mary Makhiringa said the child, between the age of 13 and 15 went missing on Wednesday and the body has been found today (Thursday) which will also be the burial day.
According to the comprehensive report that we have seen, 748 houses have completely been destroyed with 11 injuries reported, 1,402 households and 3,271 people have so far been affected by the cyclone.
Of this population, 113 are elderly, 32 are people with disabilities while eight are pregnant women. However, Makhiringa says the figure could be more as data from other T/As has not been collected.
She said the nine T/As have so far been affected by cyclone Freddy which died down yesterday (Wednesday).
On the agricultural front, 2,415 hectares of crop fields have been ravaged by the storm that wrecked more havoc in the southern part of Malawi especially in the commercial city Blantyre.
Over 225 people have so far lost their lives and President Lazarus Chakwera, in a national address on Wednesday evening declared 14 days of mourning and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast during the first seven days in honour of the dead.
