Mozambican flood victims seek refuge in Malawi

LILONGWE, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Some Mozambicans affected by floods in their country are seeking refuge in Malawi, local authorities confirmed on Monday.

Adverse weather that brought heavy and continuous rains has caused floods in the two neighboring countries over the past week.

The floods have affected more than 93,000 households, leaving 30 people dead in Malawi and at least 10 in Mozambique, according to the United Nations.

Nsanje, a flood-prone border district in southern Malawi, has received a large number of people from surrounding Mozambican border districts and the figure keeps growing by the hour, Nsanje District Commissioner Reinhard Chavula told local media on Monday.

The district commissioner has not disclosed the exact number so far, saying the figures are still being consolidated.

Nsanje's Senior Chief Tengani called upon the Malawi government to support its neighbors. "We cannot ignore them. As they are here in Malawi, I take it that it is the responsibility of the Malawi government to look after them," said Tengani.

Fourteen districts have been affected by floods in Malawi due to the incessant rains from March 5 to March 9. Malawi's President Arthur Peter Mutharika has declared a state of disaster in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Malawi government has mobilized rescue activities and relief measures for those affected, most of whom are camping out in schools, churches and other places of refuge.