Malawi heatwave warning: Temperatures expected to reach 42°C

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) has issued a heatwave warning for Malawi, effective from October 18 to 23, 2026. Driven by a persistent warm easterly air mass, temperatures in the Southern Region are forecast to reach as high as 42 degrees Celsius.

Districts expected to be most heavily impacted include Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mwanza, Neno, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mulanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, Balaka, and southern parts of Mangochi. Other areas, including the Northern and Central regions, are expected to experience minimal heatwave conditions with temperatures between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius.

Authorities have advised the public to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and limit strenuous activity. Vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, should be kept in cool, well-ventilated environments.

Public health expert Professor Adamson Muula of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences noted that the heat poses significant challenges for outdoor workers, such as street food vendors, who may be unable to stop working despite the risks. He also pointed to a lack of public drinking-water points in urban areas as a complicating factor.