Already, more than 700 people have been killed by cyclone "Idai" in southeastern Africa



[ad_1]

At least 732 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands affected by the devastating cyclone "Idai" Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Thousands of Hectares were flooded as a result of a storm that devastated the homes and infrastructure of these three countries.

The UN and the Red Cross are alert on the possibility of a possible outbreak of anger in one of these three countries, while local authorities fear that the number of deaths will increase over the next few hours as water recedes.

A ship loaded with people rescued amidst the floods in Mozambique. Photo: AFP.
A ship loaded with people rescued amidst the floods in Mozambique. Photo: AFP.

In Mozambique, the authorities confirmed until last Saturday a total of 417 dead, 1,400 wounded and 600,000 displaced Since the cyclone landed on March 14 near the port city of Beira, which caused the immediate overflowing of the major rivers of the country, Buzi and Pungue.

Some 17,400 homes have been destroyed or damaged, the number of farmed acres is about 385,000 and the total number of people affected is about 1.8 million people.

A flood map as of March 20th.
A flood map as of March 20th.

"It's a unprecedented natural disaster. The affected area (in Mozambique) covers about 3,000 km2. A disaster that equates to a major disaster, "said Mozambican Minister of the Environment, Celso Correia. Unfortunately, no one in the region or in the world can predict a disaster of such magnitude, "he added.

In Zimbabwe, where Idai appeared two days later, the death toll is, for the moment, 259. Another 200 people were injured. Most of the victims – out of a total of 250,000 affected – have been identified in the border towns of Chimanimani and Chipinge, which have been virtually razed.

Tombs of cyclone victims in the town of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. Photo: Reuters.
Tombs of cyclone victims in the town of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. Photo: Reuters.

Finally, in Malawi, the first country affected by the hurricane, 56 people died and 577 were injured. The number of displaced people is about 94,000 and 840,000 are affected.

The cyclone, unlike Zimbabwe and Mozambique, arrived in Malawi, preceded by days of violent storms that weakened the country before the arrival of the phenomenon, which eventually destroyed the localities of Chiwawa and Nsanje.

A child complains of severe stomach pain in a refugee center in Mozambique. Photo: AFP.
A child complains of severe stomach pain in a refugee center in Mozambique. Photo: AFP.

"The situation will get worse before starting to improve", said the high commissioner of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore." Help agencies are just beginning to realize the extent of the damage. Entire cities were submerged, buildings collapsed and schools and health centers were destroyed, "he said.

UNICEF remains concerned that floods, overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation, stagnant water and contaminated water sources are exposing the population to diseases such as cholera, malaria and diarrhea .

Refugees from cyclone Idai in Mozambique. Photo: AFP.
Refugees from cyclone Idai in Mozambique. Photo: AFP.

.

[ad_2]
Source link