Tropical Cyclone Idai has claimed around 350 lives in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi triggering disastrous floods. Around thousand lives are feared dead in Mozambique and Zimbabwe but the toll is yet to be confirmed. It is expected that by latter part of this weekend, dry weather would make a comeback, bringing in much needed relief.
Idai thrashed onshore north of Beira, Mozambique, late last week with its strength equivalent to a Category III major hurricane in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific oceans.
It is considered to be one of the most destructive natural disasters in the region’s recent history. It has been stated by the Zimbabwean officials that some victims were swept away by floodwaters down mountainside in Zimbabwe onto the Mozambican soil.
It is expected that localized downpours would continue to obstruct the rescue operations and recovery efforts. Also, ongoing flooding can intensify in some areas. Isolated landslides cannot be ruled out. Roughly, 15,000 people are yet to be rescued.
Almost 90% of the port city of Beira is underwater and sans any communication. It is likely that the city might run out of clean water in coming two to three days.
Large parts of Beira have been completely damaged, with villages and towns are completely flooded. Many families have lost their everything. A state of emergency along with three days of mourning due to deadly impacts of Idai has been declared in Mozambique.
Also Read: Ever Worst Cyclone Idai makes landfall near Beira, more damage ahead
Image Credit: AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
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