Mozambique death toll climbs from worst hurricane in a decade

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Mozambique death toll climbs from worst hurricane in a decade

1:31 CAT | 16 Mar 2019

Tropical cyclone Idai has weakened but heavy rains continue. Storm may cause more damage than predecessors since 2000. Photo: Cyclone Idai as it hits Mozambique on March 15 [NASA Worldview via EPA]

At least 19 people died in central Mozambique after tropical cyclone tore through the port city of Beira, knocking out electricity and phone networks.

The storm, the worst to hit the southeast African nation in at least a decade, had windspeeds of more than 200 kilometres per hour (124 miles) before it made landfall early Friday. It’s exacerbating flooding in the region that had already killed more than 60 people in the region. While the storm has dissipated since crossing over land, there is still heavy rains over Mozambique and eastern Zimbabwe.

“There has been a lot of damage that we have not yet made the calculation of how much we need to rebuild,” said Alberto Mondlane, governor of Mozambique’s worst-hit Sofala province, in comments broadcast over state radio late Friday. “Many homes have been left without a roof.”

The storm has already affected 1.5 million people, according to the United Nations.

Receiving report: Road Chimoio – Beirra is not anymore open – too much water in Niamatande (bridge flooded). NGO could not pass by car. #Cyclone #IDAI

— Marc Nosbach (@NosbachMarc) March 16, 2019

While Idai was not as intense as comparable storms that ravaged the region in 2008 and 2000, a rapid rise in the amount of people living in the area means that “damages may be worse,” said Jennifer Fitchett, a senior lecturer in physical geography at University of the Witwatersrand. Mozambique’s population has increased by more than two-thirds to 31 million since 2000.

“Tropical cyclone damage is a function not only of the intensity of the storm, but also the population size, level of development, and adaptation that has been implemented,” she said in reply to emailed questions. “A decade or more makes a huge difference in terms of the number of people affected.”

By Matthew Hill and Borges Nhamire

A Bancada parlamentar da #Frelimo remeteu ao Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Calamidades um cheque no valor de 417.000.00 meticais em apoio as vitimas de calamidades naturais. #CycloneIdai pic.twitter.com/sFaXCEWsc3

— Alexandre (@AllexandreMZ) March 15, 2019

Team update: Lot of damage to buildings; Access very challenging with most roads requiring clearing; Airport reported to be in a mess but unclear on sign. damage. Team now moving into centre of town to see more of the situation.

— Marc Nosbach (@NosbachMarc) March 15, 2019

#CycloneIdai: Bombas da BP, Inchope, Manica. pic.twitter.com/duRlwk6Tuv

— Alexandre (@AllexandreMZ) March 15, 2019

We’re getting first photos in from the destruction in #Beira city after #cycloneIdai. These were taken by family members of a Mozambique Red Cross staff member after they had braved the heavy winds and torrential rain. @ifrc @IFRCAfrica @CruzVermelhaMOZ pic.twitter.com/YJYYz5doJ1

— Caroline Haga (@hagacaroline) March 16, 2019

The ⁦@ifrc⁩ and ⁦@CruzVermelhaMOZ⁩ team is on route to #Beira to support the rapid response to #cycloneidai. It’s going to be a long drive…⁦@IFRCAfrica⁩ @DekunleCharles @KaufmanR @wouterrhebergen @hagacaroline pic.twitter.com/GNjlyxxa1u

— Jamie LeSueur (@jamielesueur) March 16, 2019