Flood death toll climbs
THE death toll in three south-eastern African countries – Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe – has climbed to more than 400 people following cyclone Idai that triggered devastating floods.
Mozambique has declared a state of emergency and has appealed for international aid as thousands more people remain at risk with people clinging to roofs and trees, according to the latest media reports.
Addressing the media, Mozambique’s land and environment minister, Celso Correia, warned that the number of dead was rising as rescue and flood workers retrieved bodies that had been hidden in the now-receding flood waters.
The minister said 15 000 people were still in need of help. “They are alive, we are communicating with them, delivering food, but we need to rescue them and take them out.”
Rescue teams are battling to access thousands of survivors stranded on roofs and trees with more helicopters and boats needed to carry out rescues.
In Zimbabwe, state broadcaster ZBC said the death toll had risen to 139 while the World Food Programme said 200 000 Zimbabweans would need urgent food aid for three months.
In Malawi, 56 people were confirmed dead, and 82000 people were displaced.
At least 600000 people have been affected, according to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, ranging from those whose lives are in immediate danger to those who need other kinds of aid, the Guardian reported.
And the floodwaters are predicted to rise in the coming days as heavy rain continues to fall in the effected region. |