President Peter Mutharika has appealed for foreign aid.

President Peter Mutharika of Malawi has declared a third of the country a disaster zone and appealed for emergency foreign aid, BBC reported. This follows recent floods that have so far killed 48 people. Media reports cite government sources that estimate that around 70,000 people from around 14,000 families or households have been displaced by the flooding.

Mr Mutharika on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 said his government alone does not have the money to cope with the floods that will likely continue for some time. He said in a statement  that the floods have affected the districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe Zomba; Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mulanje, Balaka, Machinga, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Rumphi and Karonga. The worst affected districts are thought to be Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Zomba and the district of Mangochi, where it is thought that many of the deaths occurred.

"People have fled into schools and churches on higher ground, others are in the open because there is not enough space,'' BBC quoted  Grey Mkwanda,  Mangochi District planning officer of saying. He said many victims died when villages were flooded. Some of the victims from Mangochi District who escaped 100 km southwards to the commercial city Blantyre reportedly perished when their homes collapsed.

Homes and crops are said to be destroyed by the rising torrents while roads and railways have also been cut off. Heavy regional rain began in late December 2014 and forecasters say they expect it to continue over the coming days. Reports say government authorities and relief agencies have been providing assistance to those affected. This cannot however, meet the flood challenges as there is further heavy rain forecast.

A group of 25 schoolchildren are also reported to have been swept away by floodwater in neighouring Mozambique on Monday, January 12, 2015. Media reports also talk of 10 dead in floods in Zimbabwe.