Malawi's president says heavy flooding in the southern African country has killed 48 people and left another 23,000 displaced.
President Peter Mutharika declared 10 out of 28 districts in the country disaster zones today.
Planning officer Grey Mkwanda said some of the victims died when villages were flooded in the southern Mangoche district, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the commercial capital, Blantyre. Livestock, crops and homes were swept away by floodwaters.
Others died in Blantyre when their homes collapsed, according to Mkwanda.
Mutharika has appealed to the international community for assistance for the impoverished country.
Officials were unable to visit the affected areas due to continuing poor weather.
