Death Toll in Southern Africa Rises to 700 Following Cyclone Idai

March 25, 2019 | by Rodolfo Vieira

Cyclone Idai tore through southern Africa more than a week ago and authorities have registered over 700 lives lost during the unprecedent natural disaster.

The numbers continue to rise and the current death toll spreads across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, with Mozambique registering the highest numbers of deaths, 446.

It has been reported that Environment Minister Celso Correia claimed almost 110,000 people are currently living in camps and that the final number of deaths will only be determined once the flood waters have receded.

A submerged and destroyed house in a flooded Mozambican village | Photo: BBC

RAGING FLOOD WATERS

Thousands of people remain trapped by the waters, which were originated by the overflow of rivers from neighboring countries. The waters managed to destroy houses, settlements and roads.

Aside from the loved ones lost to the catastrophe, Mozambicans are struggling to stay alive considering that most of their possessions, including their homes, were taken away by Idai.

A mother and her children waiting for help at an improvised camp | Photo: BBC

NO MEANS TO SURVIVE

The current death toll spreads across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, with Mozambique registering the highest numbers of deaths.

Thousands of victims have no food available, nor clean water, and are relying on the help of aid workers who continue to provide help, although quite slowly due to the extreme conditions they face.

Hundreds of victims of Cyclone Idai at the railway station in Tica, Mozambique | Photo: BBC

Some of the affected areas are completely inaccessible and the number of helicopters available is quite scarce, so it does take a while for help to reach those in need.

COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED

"We are living an unprecedented natural disaster. A disaster that only matches major disasters. Unfortunately, no one in the region and in the world could predict a disaster of this size."

Celso Correia, BBC, March 24, 2019

Mozambican survivors receiving food and clean water from aid workers | Photo: BBC

It has been reported that Cyclone Idai hit the City of Beira on March 14 with 177 km/h winds, endangering the lives of half a million habitants. As of now, there are 1.7 million people with no electricity or running water in Southern Africa.