Residents have been digging in mud in search of survivors and victims
A rescue effort is gathering pace in southern Malawi as rains have eased allowing aid workers to move further into the areas affected by Tropical Storm Freddy.
The country’s information minister told the BBC that helicopters are now flying to areas cut off by swollen rivers and mudslides.
Nearly 200 people have died, with dozens still missing. Almost 20,000 people were also displaced by the storm.
For the first time in days, the skies over the commercial capital of Blantyre have cleared.
It has allowed for air rescue operations to begin delivery of supplies to communities that remain cut off by still raging rivers and damaged roads and bridges.
The country’s Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu, told the BBC that helicopters are already on their way to some of the worst affected areas, but also appealed for more support from neighbouring countries.
The government is gradually restoring power and water supplies.
But the road to recovery remains long. Entire communities have been washed away and thousands of households are displaced, crammed into schools and temporary camps.
The authorities have extended the schools closures in several districts until the end of the week.
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