1 of 2 Overview after Cyclone Freddy hit the town of Quelimane in Zambézia province, causing severe damage to infrastructure, trees, energy and communications, March 12, 2023. — Photo: Alfredo ZUNIGA / UNICEF / AFP Overview after Cyclone Freddy hit the city of Quelimane, in the province of Zambézia, causing serious damage to infrastructure, trees, energy and communications, March 12, 2023. — Photo: Alfredo ZUNIGA / UNICEF / AFP
At least 100 people have died in Malawi and Mozambique from torrential rain and high winds since Cyclone Freddy, following an unusual path, crossed southern Africa, officials said on Monday (13).
More than 99 bodies have been found in southern Malawi and authorities have declared a state of disaster including the economic capital, Blantyre.
Head of State Lazarus Chakwera “noted with great concern the devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy in many districts (…) and declared a state of emergency [no sul]”, it said in a statement.
Another four people died in neighboring Mozambique, and many people are missing. The country’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) said the aftermath of the storm that hit the area was worse than expected.
2 of 2 people look at the damage caused by Cyclone Freddy in Chilobwe, Blantyre, Malawi, March 13, 2023. Photo: Portal/Eldson Chagara
The port city of Quelimane, 40 kilometers from where the cyclone made landfall, is still cut off from the rest of the country. Some areas are without roads, water or electricity, said Guy Taylor, spokesman for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), by phone.
“The number of people affected has exceeded the forecasts,” said Luisa Meque, director of the INGD.
She also said the storm hit areas in Mozambique that are considered safe.
Cyclone Freddy
According to the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Cyclone Freddy formed in northeastern Australia in the first week of February. The storm crossed the southern Indian Ocean and made landfall in Madagascar on February 21 before making landfall in Mozambique on February 24.
With an unusual trajectory, the cyclone struck Mozambique again last weekend and arrived in Malawi early Monday (13th).
If the storm maintains its strength, Freddy will become the longestlasting tropical cyclone of all time.