Floods hit the region around Mangochi at the southern tip of Lake Malawi, already coping with a cholera outbreak reported last month, after heavy downpours swept the area this week, making more than 500 families destitute.

Police confirmed that at least four people died in the rains, but said they were still accessing the damage.

"We now fear for a large scale cholera outbreak which we may not contain because for three days we have had no humanitarian assistance, people are going without food and no sanitation," district planning director Harry Chipeni said by telephone.

The storms dumped at least 158 mm (6.2 inches) of rain in the district, famous for its sandy beaches, its sunshine and excellent diving amid colourful tropical fish.

The cholera outbreak was reported late last year and follows a drought and severe food shortages that have left nearly half of Malawi's 12 million people with little to eat. The crisis is particularly bad in the southern province.

So far health officials say 24 people have died from cholera and more than 2,000 are infected.

Health officials last month attributed increase in cholera in the area food shortages which have driven people to eating contaminated food.

Cholera, which typically causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration, is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with human faeces.

Deputy Minister of Information and Tourism John Bande told Reuters that a taskforce comprising health experts and road engineers has today (Thursday) been dispatched to the area.