LILONGWE, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Four people have been confirmed dead, while two are reported missing in Nkhotakota, one of Malawi's lakeshore districts hit by flash floods last week, according to an updated report on the situation obtained by Xinhua Monday.

       A total of 10 camps have been established to accommodate 9,362 displaced people, including 78 pregnant women and nearly 750 children under the age of five, said Wongani Mkandawire, the district's information officer. An additional 4,911 people are affected in some way, bringing the total number of affected individuals (both in camps and outside) to 14,273.

       Search and rescue operations led by the Malawi Defense Force are ongoing, as the Malawi government, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and in partnership with organizations such as the Malawi Red Cross Society, continues to mobilize and distribute relief items.

       "The need for more relief items remains a priority to assist the thousands of people affected by the floods," said the district's information officer.

       The flash floods in the lakeshore district were caused by continuous rains that began Tuesday, Feb. 27, and lasted throughout the night until Wednesday.

       This updated report builds on a preliminary report from Wednesday, which confirmed one death and over 7,000 people displaced.