By Burnett Munthali

The first rains of the season, which fell earlier today in Mangochi District, have left a trail of destruction, tearing off roofs from numerous homes and several schools in the area. The heavy downpour lasted for just under 20 minutes but was accompanied by strong winds, which intensified the impact.

Several electricity poles were brought down by the storm, resulting in widespread power outages across multiple parts of the district. Authorities are currently working to restore electricity, though full repairs may take time due to the scale of the damage.

As of now, officials from the Mangochi District Council have not yet released a complete assessment of the affected households and schools. Efforts are underway to gather data on the extent of the damage and provide assistance to those impacted.

This unexpected storm serves as a reminder of the need for preparedness as the rainy season begins, with local communities hoping for more resilient infrastructure to withstand similar future incidents.