Mozambique may register more than 1,000 deaths, 100,000 lives at risk following Cyclone Idai

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique may register more than 1,000 deaths, 100,000 lives at risk following Cyclone Idai

4:01 CAT | 18 Mar 2019

Photo: O País

The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, spoke to the nation this afternoon and made known the new statistics on Cyclone Idai death toll. According to information provided by the President, more than 84 dead have officially been recorded so far. However, the situation is even more serious: “Everything indicates that we may register more than 1000 deaths,” said the President, adding that more than 100,000 people are at risk of life.

It needs to be noted that this is an unconfirmed number.

— Marc Nosbach (@NosbachMarc) March 18, 2019

Filipe Nyusi Nyusi just informed media that more than 1,000 Mozambicans are thought to have died in #CycloneIdai (Radio Moçambique). https://t.co/HPPfxWYWHb

— Marc Nosbach (@NosbachMarc) March 18, 2019

National Road Number 6 has suffered four cuts and at any moment this number may increase. Raod access to the cities of Beira and Dondo is cut.

“The waters of the Pungue and Búzi overflowed their banks, making entire villages disappear and isolating communities, and bodies are floating. A real disaster of great proportions, “informed Filipe Nyusi, speaking to the nation from the Presidency of the Republic.

The statesman also reported that the bridge over the Búzi River was destroyed, isolating the districts of Búzi, Chibabava and Muanza, in Sofala, and the Mossurize district in Manica, from the rest of the country.

President Nyusi today was visiting victims of tropical cyclone IDAI in parts of Manica and Tete in the centre of the country.

Interviewed by Radio Mozambique, the victims of the disaster said what they wanted to hear from the head of state was promises of support.

“We ask for support. Literally, where we are, there are no more houses. We are asking for safe places that will not get flooded any more. We want food and clothing support. Wherever we end up, at least help us with construction materials,” were among the requests made by some of those in need.

This Sunday, President Nyusi announced that the government had mobilised aerial rescue for families perched amid floodwaters on the roofs of buildings in the district of Nhamatanda in Sofala.

Source: O País / Rádio Moçambique