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Phalombe District – Climate Adaptation Information

Discover strategies and solutions tailored to different regions and sectors.

Southern Malawi
Highly exposed to floods & droughts
Napolo landslide, 1991

Overview & Priorities

Phalombe District, located in southern Malawi, is highly vulnerable to floods, droughts, and erratic weather patterns, with historical disasters such as the Napolo landslide in 1991, which caused over 750 fatalities. The district’s proximity to Lake Chilwa and Mulanje Mountain increases its exposure to extreme weather events. Key priorities include flood and drought resilience, climate-smart agriculture, land use planning and disaster risk reduction, improving social safety nets, and strengthening climate information services.

View of Mulanje Mountains at Phalombe
Figure 1. View of Mulanje Mountains at Phalombe · © Ebr1thil

Adaptation options

No regret 2

  • Agroforestry
  • Diversifying income sources

Low regret 2

  • Climate resilient infrastructure development
  • Improving market access

Win-win 4

  • Conservation agriculture adoption and scaling
  • Crop diversification
  • Investment into renewable energy systems
  • Riparian system restoration

Flexible 6

  • Crop insurance schemes
  • Laws and by-laws supporting improved land-use
  • Promoting livestock farming
  • Skills development program for women and youth
  • Strengthening climate information services
  • Community involvement and participatory approach

Sectoral risks & adaptation strategies

Select a sector to explore its climate risks and adaptation strategies.

Key Risks

  • Droughts leading to crop failures
  • Floods destroying farmlands
  • Soil erosion and declining fertility
  • Pests and diseases impacting yields

Adaptation Strategies

  • Drought-resistant crops
    Introduce climate-resilient varieties such as early-maturing maize and sorghum
  • Conservation agriculture
    Promote intercropping, mulching, and minimum tillage to enhance soil retention
  • Irrigation systems
    Invest in small-scale irrigation, including solar-powered water pumps
  • Rainwater harvesting
    Construct water storage tanks for supplementary irrigation
  • Land use zoning
    Enforce proper planning to prevent farming in flood-prone areas
  • Soil conservation techniques
    Promote agroforestry, vetiver grass planting, and terracing

Key Risks

  • Floods destroying fish ponds and washing away fish stocks
  • Siltation reducing fish breeding grounds
  • Increased water temperatures affecting fish growth

Adaptation Strategies

  • Climate-smart aquaculture
    Promote pond design improvements, such as raised embankments
  • Habitat restoration
    Implement wetland conservation and reforestation around water sources
  • Sustainable fishing practices
    Establish seasonal fishing bans and introduce fish breeding sanctuaries
  • Water quality monitoring
    Improve waste management to reduce pollution in fishery zones
Map of Lake Chilwa relative to Phalombe
Figure 2. Map showing Lake Chilwa relative to Phalombe. Source: Rivet et al. (Adaptation Options Report).

Key Risks

  • High deforestation rates due to charcoal production and farming expansion
  • Increased risk of landslides in deforested areas
  • Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Adaptation Strategies

  • Reforestation and afforestation
    Promote tree planting campaigns, especially in degraded areas
  • Community forest management
    Empower local groups to protect and sustainably use forest resources
  • Alternative energy sources
    Encourage the use of LPG, solar cooking, and energy-efficient stoves
  • Soil and water conservation
    Implement agroforestry practices to prevent further land degradation

Key Risks

  • Flooding damaging roads, bridges, and homes
  • Weak building structures increasing disaster vulnerability
  • Poor drainage systems leading to waterlogging

Adaptation Strategies

  • Flood-resilient infrastructure
    Construct raised roads and improve drainage networks
  • Disaster-resilient housing
    Promote elevated buildings and enforce building codes
  • Evacuation shelters
    Develop well-equipped facilities in strategic locations
  • Early warning systems
    Expand meteorological monitoring and community alert mechanisms

Key Risks

  • Increased food insecurity due to climate shocks
  • Health risks from extreme weather and poor sanitation
  • Economic instability due to crop and livestock losses

Adaptation Strategies

  • Social protection programs
    Expand food security initiatives and emergency relief support
  • Livelihood diversification
    Support small businesses, poultry farming, and beekeeping as alternative incomes
  • Public awareness campaigns
    Educate communities on disaster preparedness and climate adaptation
  • Health system strengthening
    Improve medical supplies and climate-proof health facilities