Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah has urged communities living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as Malawi braces for above-normal rainfall in the 2025/2026 season. 

Dr. Ansah made the call on Monday in Thyolo where she visited families affected by recent hailstorms and distributed maize and kitchen utensils to support households that lost property.

She said the latest seasonal weather forecast shows the country is expected to receive heavy rainfall which may trigger flooding in several districts. 

“The seasonal forecast is clear. We are expecting a lot of rain this year, and that means some areas may be at risk of floods. We are encouraging communities in such zones to move to safer places for their own protection,” said Ansah.

She further appealed to Malawians to take part in environmental restoration initiatives, saying such efforts help reduce the impact of natural disasters.

She added, “Let us protect our environment. Tree planting and conservation help reduce the severity of these disasters,” she added.

Over the past three weeks, several districts in the southern region have been affected by disasters including hailstorms and floods, with 177 families displaced in Thyolo alone. 

One of the beneficiaries, Eneles Charles from Gwaza Village, said the hailstorm caused extensive damage. 

“Many of us lost our houses and property. People are still struggling because we do not have proper shelter,” she said.

Senior Chief Boyidi commended the government for the timely support rendered to households affected by the disaster, noting that many families were in dire need of assistance.