SEE: Mandatory evacuations after hurricane Kenneth in Mozambique

A powerful tropical cyclone started touching down on Thursday in
Mozambique, just six weeks after Cyclone Idai devastated the center
part of the country and left hundreds of dead.

Forced evacuations began in northern Mozambique, where a strong tropical cyclone is expected to hit the earth by Friday, just six weeks after Cyclone Idai hit the center of the country and the deaths of hundreds of people.

Authorities have initiated mandatory evacuations in cases where residents resist warnings to flee.

Hurricane Kenneth could lead to heavy rains and floods in northeastern Mozambique, which was not affected by the previous storm, and in southern Tanzania, which required coastal residents to evacuate their homes. houses. The Pacific Disaster Center has predicted that the landing will take place north of the Mozambican town of Pemba.

As Mozambique approached, Hurricane Kenneth left the inhabitants of the island of Comoros, islands of the Indian Ocean, without electricity and some lost their homes.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world and cyclone Idai has destroyed crops in the breadbasket of this southern African country on the eve of harvests. Hundreds of thousands of people could face hunger in the coming months, and a new storm bringing in new floods will further complicate recovery efforts.

The new cyclone threatens a region of Mozambique where locals are not used to such storms, said the UN humanitarian agency. This includes the province of Cabo Delgado, which has seen an increase in deadly militant attacks in recent months.

The arrival of the new cyclone in the aftermath of the night might surprise some residents despite the warnings to look for higher ground. Hurricane Idai also burst at night, and some residents later said they were unaware of the authorities' warnings or were not expecting the dramatic floods that followed.

A video posted by Mozambique's disaster management office showed director Augusta Maita warning residents that the new storm could be as intense as Hurricane Idai. Mandatory evacuations have started for some families, said the office, sharing a list of shelters that were mostly local schools.

The UN has described Idai as "one of the deadliest storms ever recorded in the southern hemisphere," and the arrival of another major storm will again raise concerns as for climate change. The 2400 km of low coastline of the Indian Ocean in Mozambique make this country one of the most vulnerable in the world facing the rising waters of global warming.

In Tanzania, the government has asked students and workers in the southern parts of Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma to stay at home, while noting that people living near the coast should be evacuated.

The UN, the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations were already preparing for what might be another major relief operation, still in predominantly rural areas. The UN has already been concerned that its appeal for $ 342 million worth of relief work for Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and neighboring Zimbabwe is being funded. at 24%.

"Although the floodwaters have receded in most of the areas affected by Hurricane Idai, access remains a challenge as the infrastructure is severely compromised," said spokesman United Nations World Food Program, Herve Verhoosel. "Another storm would be an extra blow for the people of Mozambique and further complicate the response in all areas."

He added that the agency has 300 tons of "food products" already positioned in the coastal towns of Palma and Mocimboa da Praia, in northern Mozambique, and that his local partner has been tasked with protecting the warehouses for "resist the storm".