Tropical Storm Freddy leaves close to 60 families homeless in Vilanculos

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Tropical Storm Freddy leaves close to 60 families homeless in Vilanculos

8:05 CAT | 28 Feb 2023

Image: Social Media

Tropical Storm Freddy made its Mozambique landfall in Vilanculos district, Inhambane on Friday (24-02), leaving approximately 60 families without homes and causing damage still to be tallied.

Mayor of Vilanculos, William Tuzine, told ‘Carta’ that the storm brought winds of 120 kilometres per hour.

The district has continued to experience heavy rain since last Saturday.

Mayor Tuzine said that nearly 60 traditionally built dwellings were totally destroyed by the storm, along with crops such as maize and peanuts.

Vilanculos Rural Hospital was left without a roof, and some schools saw classrooms and walls damaged.

“We had some damage to our Arena, in addition to five hospitals,” Tuzine said.

Arenav.fb_ — *Photo: Planeta Futebol MZ*

“We also now have many potholes on the road network due to the continuing downpour, but, thank God, no deaths or serious injuries, because we did a good job of raising awareness and managed to open four accommodation centres for families in high-risk areas,” Tuzine added.

Mozambique Electricity (EdM) reported the felling of 21 medium-voltage poles, estimating the cost of repairs in Inhambane at 6,656,000 meticais.

The president of Vilanculos Tourism Association, Yassin Amuji, said however that Freddy did not cause much damage to tourist infrastructure, with the exception of Hotel Azura, on Benguerra Island. This establishment was left without part of the roof, but will open its doors to receive tourists by next Saturday.

As a precautionary measure, most hotels chose to close their doors before the storm arrived, but may reopen today.

“The cyclone itself did not do much damage. What is causing most damage, especially on access roads, is the continuous heavy rain,” Amuji said.

Source: O País