Dissertations
58 total
ASSESSING SUBJECTIVE AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF HOUSEHOLD RESILIENCE AFTER CYCLONE FREDDY IN SOCHE, BLANTYRE CITY. A CASE STUDY OF SOCHE, T/A SOMBA.
This study examined household resilience in Soche Township, Blantyre, following the impacts of Cyclone Freddy, with particular focus on socio-economic characteristics, subjective resilience perceptions, and the role of social capital and institutional factors in shaping …
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ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN ENHANCING ANTICIPATORY ACTION IN TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY CHIWALO
This study assessed the effectiveness of early warning systems (EWS) in enhancing anticipatory action (AA) in flood-prone communities of Traditional Authority Chiwalo in Phalombe District, Malawi. Despite the presence of early warning systems, flood impacts …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT ON MAIZE PRODUCTION, HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AND COPING STRATEGIES IN MULANJE DISTRICT
This study examined the impact of meteorological drought on maize availability and household food security in Mulanje District, Malawi, where rain-fed agriculture remains the main source of livelihood. The purpose of the research was to …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN MULANJE
Climate variability is a major threat to food security among smallholder farmers in Mulanje District, where agriculture largely depends on rainfall. This study assessed the impact of climate variability on household food security, evaluated the …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS ON AVIATION SAFETY AND OPERATIONS AND THIER MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN MALAWI
This study assessed the impacts of extreme weather conditions on aviation safety and operational efficiency at Malawi’s two main international airports, Kamuzu International Airport and Chileka International Airport, during 2015–2024. Disruptions caused by fog, low …
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INTEGRATING YOUTH, SPORT AND RECREATION IN DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT IN BLANTYRE CITY, MALAWI
Youth in Blantyre City face increasing vulnerability to disasters such as floods and storms, which disrupt sports and recreational activities essential for physical health, social interaction, emotional well-being, and resilience building. Despite growing awareness of …
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INVESTIGATING THE DRIVERS OF THUCHILA RIVER COURSE ALTERATION IN GROUP VILLAGE HEAD NOGWE, TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY NKANDA, MULANJE DISTRICT, MALAWI
This research investigates the physical and spatial impacts of the Thuchila River’s course alteration on flood patterns and extent in Group Village Head (GVH) Nogwe, Mulanje District, Malawi. While local flooding is often broadly attributed …
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ASSESSING TROPICAL CYCLONES IN MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL THAT AFFECTED MALAWI (2014-2023)
This study assesses tropical Cyclones originating in the Mozambique Channel that impacted Malawi from 2014 to 2023, focusing on their frequency, intensity, and impacts. The southern region of Malawi, characterized by high population density and …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF LAND USE CHANGES ON FLOOD RISK IN URBAN AREAS: A CASE STUDY OF MTANDIRE, LILONGWE DISTRICT, MALAWI
Rapid and unplanned urbanization is increasingly recognized as a primary driver of elevated flood risk in sub-Saharan African cities, yet localized, evidence-based research quantifying this link remains scarce. This study assesses the impact of land …
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ARDUIONO BASED IOT RAINFALL INDUCED LANDSLIDE MONITORING AND DETECTION SYTEM: A DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT PROSPECTIVE
Rainfall-induced landslides pose a threat to life, infrastructure, and economy in Malawi, particularly in regions such as Mulanje, Zomba, Dedza and the northern highlands just mention a few. Traditional monitoring methods such as field surveys, …
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INTEGRATING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING TO ASSESS THE RISK OF LANDSLIDE IN NKHULAMBE COMMUNITY, PHALOMBE
Landslides pose a major threat to communities in mountainous regions, especially in developing countries like Malawi, where disaster risk management is hindered by weak institutional capacity and limited data. The Nkhulambe Community in Phalombe District, …
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ASSESSING PUBLIC PERCEPTION ON EARLY WARNING SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY OF SEKENI I VILLAGE, CHIKWAWA
This study investigates public perceptions of early warning systems (EWS) in Sekeni I Village, a community in Malawi's flood-prone Chikwawa district in the south. EWS plays an important role in disaster preparedness and risk reduction; …
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SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING OF RAINFALL INDUCED LANDSLIDES: A CASE STUDY OF TCHODA MOUNTAIN, CHIRADZULU MALAWI.
Landslides are among one of the greatest destructive hazards which result in a lot of fatalities and financial losses all over the word the world every year. The central objective of this research was to …
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AN INVESTIGATION OF DRY SPELLS OCCURRENCE IN ZOMBA DISTRICT FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION
The threat of accelerating climate variability impacts on species and the future are subjects of growing scientific interest. These variabilities are causing harmful effects on agricultural production around the world including Malawi because of its …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER CHANGES ON INCREASING LANDSLIDE RISK IN NDIRANDE TOWNSHIP: USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING APPROACH
This study assessed the impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes (LULCC) on increasing landslide risk in Ndirande Township, Malawi, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Through …
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EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RADIO-BASED FLOOD WARNINGS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS IN T/A NGABU,
This study evaluates the effectiveness of radio-based flood warning systems for visually impaired individuals in Traditional Authority Ngabu, Chikwawa District, Malawi. While radio is widely used for emergency communication, its design and implementation often exclude …
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ASSESSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTEGRATING FORECAST-BASED FINANCING INTO MALAWI’S DISASTER RISK FINANCING FRAMEWORK
Malawi Malawi faces recurrent floods, droughts, and cyclones that affected over 20.6 million people and caused USD 1,296.7 million in documented losses between 2015 and 2024. Despite a Disaster Risk Financing Strategy (DRFS), the financing …
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ASSESSING POST DISASTER RECOVERY IN PHALOMBE DISTRICT: LESSON FROM TROPICAL CYCLONE FREDDY
This study assessed the multi-dimensional community recovery and resilience in Phalombe District, Malawi, more than two years after the devastating impacts of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in March 2023. Drawing on the official Phalombe District Council …
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GIS AND REMOTE SENSING BASED FLOOD RISK MAPPING AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT: A CASE STUDY OF T/A PEMBA IN SALIMA
Floods are among the most destructive natural hazards in Malawi, and rural areas like Traditional Authority (T/A) Pemba in Salima District are particularly susceptible due to low elevation, high rainfall, and settlements situated near river …
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ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BENEFICIARY REGISTRATION IN FOOD DISTRIBUTION DURING THE 2024/2025 EL NIÑO-INDUCED DROUGHT RESPONSE. A CASE STUDY OF T/A TSABANGO LILONGWE DISTRICT
This study assessed the effectiveness of beneficiary registration in food distribution during the 2024/2025 El Niño-induced drought response in Traditional Authority (T/A) Tsabango, Lilongwe District, Malawi. The study examined how registration processes influenced transparency, accountability, …
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ASSESSING THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF HUMANITARIAN DISASTER AID IN PROMOTING DISASTER RISKS: A CASE STUDY OF GVH SAVALA, TA MAKHWIRA, CHIKWAWA
This study assessed the unintended consequences of humanitarian disaster aid in promoting disaster risks in GVH Savala, TA Makhwira, Chikwawa district, Malawi. Chikwawa is the one of the most persistently flood-affected communities in the lower …
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INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTABILITY AND DISASTERS FRAMEWORK IN STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE IN MALAWI. A CASE STUDY OF MCHINJI DISTRICT.
This study examines the integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks in strengthening community resilience to climate-related hazards in Malawi, with a focus on Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi in Mchinji …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF EL NINO AND LA NINA EVENTS ON MAIZE YIELD IN THYOLO DISTRICT
Climate variability driven by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) represents one of the most consequential and recurring threats to agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi, where over 90% of agricultural production is rain-fed and …
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EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF MODERN-DAY EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS ON FLOOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE: A CASE STUDY OF COMMUNITIES AROUND LIKANGALA WATERSHED, MWAMBO VILLAGE T/A MWAMBO, ZOMBA.
The research examined the impact of modern-day early warning systems on the efficacy of flood emergency responses. Utilizing a mixed methods approach within a case study design, the study explored how early warning system contribute …
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INVESTIGATING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON WATER LEVELS OF DOMASI RIVER
This research investigates the impact of climate variability, with a focus on temperature and rainfall, on water levels in the Domasi River basin. Despite the absence of significant individual trends in temperature and rainfall, their …
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EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM IN IMPROVING ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY TO DISASTERS AMONG BENEFICIARIES: CASE STUDY, T/A NJEMA, MULANJE DISTRICT
This research project investigates the effectiveness of social cash transfer programs in enhancing economic resilience disasters among beneficiaries in Mulanje district, T/A Njema in specific. It was conducted by Jickson Zefania at the Ndata School …
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A GAP ANALYSIS IN CLIMATE SERVICES AND APPLICATION SEASON FORECAST 2023- 2024: CASE STUDY OF SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IN TA NGABU CHIKWAWA]
The aim of the research was to conduct a gap analysis on climate information services for the 2023-2024 seasonal forecast. The analysis focused on small-scale farmers' awareness of seasonal forecast information, the available communication methods, …
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INVESTIGATING FACTORS HINDERING YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN RURAL AREAS: THE CASE STUDY OF TA KUNTAJA IN BLANTYRE
Youth are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate-related hazards, as explained by the IPCC (2022) and WHO (2010), which highlight the significant challenges young people face due to climate change. In Malawi, where 49% …
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ASSESSING THE STATE OF DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS AMONG SMALLHOLDER
This study assesses the level of drought preparedness among smallholder farmers in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu, Karonga District, an area highly vulnerable to climate induced droughts. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative household surveys …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON KAMUZU DAM II
Climate variability poses significant challenges to water resources, particularly in developing regions like Malawi, where dams such as Kamuzu Dam II are critical for running water supply. This study assesses the impact of climate variability …
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ASSESSING EFFECTS OF RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE VARIABILITY ON TOMATO PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS. A CASE STUDY OF MPINGU EPA IN LILONGWE DISTRICT.
This study assesses the trends and relationships between climatic variables—rainfall and temperature—and tomato production in the Mpingu EPA from 2012 to 2023. Utilizing the Mann-Kendall trend test, the analysis reveals no statistically significant trend in …
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INFRASTRUCTURAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT DUE TO CYCLONE FREDDY 2023 USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS, THE CASE STUDY OF CHILOBWE IN BLANTYRE
Natural disasters occur frequently around the world, and their frequency and intensity seem to be increasing in recent years. The disasters such as cyclones and Floods often cause a significant loss of life, property damage, …
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INVESTIGATING GIS APPROACH IN SITE SELECTION FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING A CASE OF T/A TENGANI, NSANJE
The main obstacle to development in arid areas is the scarce and intermittent rainfall. Rainfall is a key source to diminish the problem of water scarcity in the arid and semi-arid regions. Rainwater harvesting is …
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INVESTIGATING THE CHALLENGES, THE EVACUEES FACE AT AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION SHELTER AND THEIR COPING STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY OF TA MBAWELA IN THYOLO DISTRICT
The research project focused on examining the challenges faced by evacuees at evacuation centers during and after disasters, with a specific emphasis on gender-based vulnerabilities and coping strategies. Key informant interviews were conducted with various …
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ASSESSING DROUGHT VULNERABILITY AMONG FARMING COMMUNITIES IN KARONGA DISTRICT: CASE STUDY OF TA KYUNGU.
A number of sectors in Malawi are seriously threatened by drought vulnerability, with agriculture being the most affected, followed by water, gender, hearth and fisheries. This study investigate the vulnerability to drought in traditional authority …
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ASSESSING SOCIO-ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY TO FLOODS IN CHIKWAWA DISTRICT
Disasters cause significant impacts on the household poverty and national economic growth trends through economic losses and shocks to livelihood systems. The water related extremes such as floods, account for the greatest share of global …
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THE EFFECTS AND COPING STRATEGIES TO DROUGHT OF RURAL SUBSISTANCE FARMERS
TA Ngabu in Chikwawa district is prone to several droughts. Drought disasters have caused extensive damages which affected many sectors of the society with agriculture in particular and this sets back development in the area. …
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EARTHQUAKE HAZARD ASSESSMENT IN KARONGA DISTRICT USING GIS
Among the various types of natural disasters, earthquake is considered as one of the most destructive events which impose a great number of human fatalities and economic losses. Visualization of earthquake events and estimation of …
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ASSESSING THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACTS OF FLOODS
Malawi is highly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events given its location along the great African Rift Valley, rapid population growth, unsustainable urbanization, climate variability and change, and environmental degradation. Flood is the …
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INVESTIGATING IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MUST STUDENTS
This paper discusses the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on undergraduate students at MUST. It also shades light, through its findings, on the measures undertaken and measures that can be undertaken to overcome mental distress …
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FLOOD EXTENT MAPPING USING GEOSPATIAL TOOLS
Floods have caused tremendous destruction of lives and properties in communities along different rivers in Chikwawa district. This paper is an application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System in mapping the extent of floods …
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ASSESSING DETERMINANTS OF SOCIAL ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY TO FLOODS AMONG YOUTHS IN CHIKWAWA DISTRICT:
This study examined the determinants of social economic vulnerability to floods among youths in Chikwawa district. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed. The study had discussions with key Stakeholders at district and community levels …
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APPLICABILITY OF GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM AND REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES IN INVESTIGATING THE OCCURRENCE OF HEAT WAVES: A CASE STUDY OF NGABU
Interest in heatwaves and extreme heat events have increased globally over the past few years following the high profile of heat events across the globe. Heatwaves historically received little attention but with the rising temperatures …
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DETERMINING THE ONSET AND CESSATION OF SEASONAL RAINS IN SHIRE VALLEY, SOUTHERN MALAWI
Agricultural activities in Malawi depend largely on rainfall-fed. Rainfall onset is defined as the period, at the beginning of the rainy season, when rainfall distribution has become adequate for crop development while rainfall cessation refers …
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EFFECTS OF MWERA ON ORNAMENTAL FISHERY AND ORNAMENTAL FISHER’S ADAPTIVE CAPACITY AT SENGA-BAY
Ornamental Fishery in Lake Malawi looks at cichlid species locally called Mbuna. Several studies in Malawi have evaluated the effects of climate change and Mwera on non-cichlid fish endemic but not Ornamental Fishery in specific. …
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THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL VARIATIONS ON TOURISM IN MANGOCHI
The solely aim of this research was to discuss potential implications of temperature and rainfall variations on tourism that Mangochi district has to anticipate, since it was noted by the researcher that despite the understanding …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL VARIATION ON RICE YIELD AT NKHATE IRRIGATION SCHEME IN CHIKHWAWA DISTRICT.
The world is probably facing the biggest crisis of climate change. Climate change has affected every nation especially African nations. Most of African nations including Malawi rely on rain fed agriculture and Malawi’s economy highly …
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EXPLORING THE MODES OF COMUNICATING CLIMATE INFORMATION USED BY DEDZA AGROMETEOROLOGICAL STATION IN CHAFUMBWA EPA
Malawi, a developing country in the tropics largely depends on rain fed agriculture for its economy as well as food security. Agriculture being vulnerable to variable weather and climatic shocks and hazards requires a vibrant …
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ASSESSING ADAPTATION MEASURES TO RAIN VARIATIONS ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN KARONGA
Climate change is a global phenomenon. Its impact on agricultural activities in the developing countries has been increasing. Decreasing precipitation levels results into droughts which depresses crop yields. This is particularly true in low-income countries …
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ASSESING ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY OF THE METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN M’MINA AND GOMANI VILLAGES
Climate change issues has been increasing in the past decade, the most recent weather extreme in Malawi is the cyclone idai in 2019. Therefore, Meteorological information is critical in making agriculture decisions since it is …
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ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF RAINFALL VARIABILITY ON PLANTING DATES FOR MAIZE PRODUCTION IN SALIMA
This study was done to assess the effects of rainfall variability on planting dates. It was done in Chipoka Extension Planning Area (EPA), Traditional Authority Ndindi in Salima district, central region of Malawi. Daily rainfall …
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THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN NKHOTAKOTA A CASE STUDY OF LINGA EXTENSION PLANNING AREA
Climate change is referred to as a long-term change in global weather patterns which is associated especially with the increase in temperature, precipitation, and storm activities. Climate change is a global challenge especially in developing …
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INVESTIGATING THE DOUBLE INJUSTICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER INEQUALITY
This study chose adaptation to changing climate as a societal response of Kamphande, Kasankha and M’bwana, T/A Namkumba in Mangochi district in investigating and explaining the injustices of climate change and gender inequality. Adaptation to …
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CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND ITS IMPACTS ON SMALLHOLDER TEA FARMING IN MULANJE DISTRICT
The study evaluated the variability and trends of rainfall and temperature from 1988 to 2020 and assessed the impacts of climate variations on smallholder tea farming in the Mulanje district. The study found that the …
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ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF LAND USE ON SOIL EROSION IN T/A CHIWALO, PHALOMBE DISTRICT
Soil erosion is one of the most common types of environmental hazards which leads to land degradation and affects countries worldwide. Soil erosion hits developing countries the hardest as it reduces their economies especially for …
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THE IMPACTS OF THE RAINFALL VARIABILITY ON MAIZE YIELDS IN MANGOCHI DISTRICT
Climate variability and change are already affecting Malawi, which has experienced a greater incidence of dry spells and intense rainfall events over the last two decades. The changes have led to an increase in the …
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INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF FLOODS INCLUDING COPING STRATEGIES: CASE STUDY OF BAKA AREA IN KARONGA DISTRICT
This study examined the causes, impacts, and coping strategies of flooding in the Baka area. The study was conducted at the Baka area (Mwanyesha village), T/A Kyungu, Karonga district. The study used observation and interviews …
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ASSESSING EFFECTIVENESS OF FLOOD EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
Floods are major water-related disasters that affect millions of people, resulting in thousands of fatalities and billion-dollar losses globally every year. Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) is one of the flood risk management measures. FEWS …
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