Tropical Storm Freddy, one of the strongest storms to ever hit the southern hemisphere, killed 190 people in Malawi alone in a month across southeastern Africa and left a trail of devastation in its wake. As the civil protection authority announced yesterday, the southern metropolis of Blantyre has been hardest hit. Heavy flooding and rain destroyed transport routes and hampered relief efforts.
According to official data, almost 800 people were injured in Malawi due to heavy rains, floods and landslides. Another 37 people were reported missing. At least 20,000 people were left homeless, according to the civil protection agency. The previous night, state television broadcaster MBC had reported 99 deaths. President Lazarus Chakwera then declared a disaster for the hardest hit region, southern Malawi.
Difficult situation for helpers
At least 21 people have died in Mozambique since the weekend, according to rescue teams. There were also deaths in the island state of Madagascar. According to official information, a total of 238 people have died in the three countries in the last four weeks.
Floods and rains have hampered rescue efforts and made it difficult to care for those affected, aid organizations said. For example, Guilherme Botelho, MSF emergency coordinator in Blantyre, reported that Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital was overwhelmed with the influx of injured people from different areas, “which is why MSF has set up a team of nurses and clinical staff to provide assistance medical and logistical support”.
“Rescue measures are a challenge as there have also been landslides in which people have become trapped,” said Estere Tsoka, an emergency relief specialist with UN children’s aid organization UNICEF in Malawi.
“Freddy” landed for the first time on February 21 – in Madagascar. From there, the storm passed into Mozambique and then back into the Indian Ocean. On March 11, “Freddy” arrived in Mozambique and Malawi for the second time.