A statement signed by Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Charles Kalemba, among others, calls upon communities, ‘to immediately move to safer and higher areas and avoid crossing rivers and walking through running water, to save lives and property’.

DoDMA cautions, "Rising water levels in the Shire River might trigger flooding in Shire Valley if the rains persist."

The Shire Valley districts of Nsanje and Chikwawa have lately been experiencing dry spells despite the country being at the peak of a rainy season.

Elsewhere, rains and strong winds have caused damage to buildings and other infrastructure in the last 24 hours, mainly in the southern and central regions of Malawi.

Scores of farm families are helpless after a hailstorm damaged crop fields in Chamama Extension Planning Area in Kasungu on Wednesday.

One of the affected farmers there, Philemon Banda, told Zodiak that maize and tobacco crops are among the most affected.

Member of Parliament for Kasungu East, Madalitso Kazombo claims almost half of the villages in his constituency have been affected by the hailstorm.

In Phalombe district, heavy rains have damaged water infrastructure and displaced scores of people.

Chief executive officer for the Southern Region Water Board Duncan Chambamba and Phalombe Major Water Users Board Chairperson James Mphep told Zodiak the situation is dire

Tropical storms ANA and Gombe caused severe floods in many parts of Malawi last year with many lives and property lost.