By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, February 3, Mana: Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has disclosed that from February 3 to 9 the country should expect primarily warm to hot conditions, cloudy conditions and locally heavy rain which will increase the threat of flash floods.

The Department says rain along lakeshore areas will continue extending to many parts of the country, leading to heavy episodes of thunderstorm due to combined effects of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and a low pressure system in the Mozambique channel.

Director for DCCMS, Dr Lucy Mtilatila, asked people to be prepared for occasional rough conditions on Lake Malawi and other lakes.

She appealed to lake users to be aware of occasional rough waters and avoid crossing flooded areas.

“When thunderstorms are within our vicinity, people must stay indoors, avoid staying in open fields and closer to metal objects.

“On Wednesday expect cloudy and warm conditions coupled with scattered rain and thunderstorm mainly over central and northern areas later in the afternoon. As such, people should stay alert and remain cautious to avoid loss of life and property,” she said.

According to Mtilatila, the Department will keep on monitoring potential development of a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean and will provide updates as needed.

During the past week most areas experienced cloudy conditions with scattered rains which were heavy over some places resulting to flash flooding over Mangochi and Machinga.

The highest 24 hourly rainfall recorded was 211mm at Machinga Boma on January 30.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Spokesperson, Chipiliro Khamula, said currently the Department has a standby search and rescue team in place comprising of the Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police Service, Marine Department, Malawi Red Cross Society and other stakeholders in case of flash floods.

“In collaboration with the DCCMS, DoDMA is conducting awareness on the prospects and implications of the current rainfall season and disseminating time-scaled seasonal forecasts as part of early warning to prevent loss of life as well as property,” Khamula said.