Floods in Malawi and Mozambique kill scores

President of Malawi Peter Mutharika has declared nearly a third of the country to be in a state of disaster, and has appealed for foreign aid.

President Mutharika announced on Tuesday,  “At least 48 people had died and 23,000 others had been displaced in floods that caused chaos in 10 out of 23 districts in the country.”

Neighbouring country Mozambique has issued reports that a group of 25 schoolchildren had been swept away by harsh floods on Monday.

Heavy rains in the area started last month, and they are expected to continue over coming days, with Mutharka saying that his government alone does not have the necessary funds to cope.

Government officials have said that many victims had died when villages were flooded in an area in the south about 100km south of the commercial capital.

"People have fled into schools and churches on higher ground, others are in the open because there is not enough space,'' said Grey Mkwanda, a district planning officer, speaking to the Associated Press news agency.

Elizabeth Divala, the city's police spokesperson said that search teams were still looking for two children who went missing during the floods.