"This will be only a short letter as you may have seen the "CAT" with its front page "Disaster to Zomba" or have heard from Chris from the hospital where she has been since Thursday 12th. In my last note I saw no point in telling you that she was there with a bad do of fever, 103 at 6.30 am Thursday when she left here. She has been recovered since Sunday (15th) but since Sat. morning (14th) Zomba cannot be approached in any direction further than the KAK memorial. We had 12" rain here but Zomba had 28" on Friday & Sat & all, repeat all bridges & culverts were swept away - masses of Zomba mountain came down with boulders & trees including all the mountain road, I imagine & only a merciful providence prevented the hospital being swept away with Chris in it. Ingram (Police), who was drowned, was swept away and his car, from what was a bridge down below Wandale - his body was recovered later 10 miles from Zomba the stream coming across the golf course without warning when avalanches descended from the mountain, became a raging torrent 70 yards wide & 10ft high causing tree trunks and enormous boulders - All public services are broken at the moment - no light, sanitation or water laid on - everybody is immobilised & it is thought that with temporary bridges and causeways the road may be passable into Z tomorrow - in which case I collect Chris who cant be too amused having nothing with her in the way of clothes - the rain has stopped for 36 hours and as the gangs were working all night I think that will be ok. Saunders-Jones had a narrow escape somewhere near the turning up to Matthew's house, on the plateau, he saw what appeared to be part of the mountain coming down the road - wisely he left the car, as he is alive & the car, or parts of it perhaps near Chilwa. Your interesting letter of 7th & 11th arrived today, Chris I hope will see them tomorrow - David is away recruiting (and I hope the weather will keep fine for him) but will hope to collect the stockings for which many thanks - sorry there was no corduroy. Glad you saw & liked Phillip M I see he has written to Chris. Love and best wishes Daddy I'm afraid the cottage, if standing, won't be easy to approach for a year or so except by walking".