At least 15 people have died in Malawi and Mozambique as Cyclone Freddy hit the two countries with torrential rains and strong winds, authorities said on Monday.
Police in Malawi said 11 people died in areas surrounding the southern city of Blantyre, where heavy rains triggered flooding.
At least 16 more people were missing and four injured, according to a preliminary count, police said.
Four more people died in Mozambique, local authorities said.
An assessment of the damages was underway after the record-breaking storm made its second landfall in the country.
Freddy reached the landlocked country early Monday morning after sweeping through Mozambique at the weekend.
The death toll was expected to increase as authorities worked to reach all affected areas.
“We are prioritising rescuing people and removing the lifeless bodies. We don’t have numbers,” said Andre Tazingua, a fire service commander in Zambezia.
According to the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Freddy, which formed off northwestern Australia in the first week in February, was set to become the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record.
In other news – President Cyril Ramaphosa defends size of cabinet
President Cyril Ramaphosa is defending the size of his cabinet. He says the size of government should be guided by the country’s needs and not be a head-counting exercise.
Ramaphosa argues the number of ministries was reduced from 34 to 28 in 2019. The executive has now been increased by two to 30 Ministers. The president says the new Electricity Minister will only remain until the energy crisis has been resolved.Learn More
