Malawi's Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has issued alerts for heavy rains and thunderstorms across most parts of the country. According to AfricaBrief, the severe weather is driven by an active low-pressure system over Malawi. The meteorological department noted that localized heavy rainfall will primarily affect the Lakeshore areas and the southern region through Wednesday, creating a risk of flash flooding for vulnerable communities.
Update: Water levels in Lake Malawi continue to surge, reaching 476.01 metres above sea level, which is a 0.46-metre increase from the same period last year. Nyasa Times reports that the National Water Resources Authority has intervened by opening the Kamuzu Barrage. The barrage is currently discharging about one million litres of water per second into the Shire River to prevent an overflow disaster. Officials have issued strict warnings to residents to avoid constructing homes, operating businesses, or farming below the 477-metre contour line along the lakeshore and within the 100-year flood lines of rivers.