The United Nations on Tuesday said that more than 2.6 million people were affected by the tropical storm that hit parts of Southern Africa.
Cyclone Idai and its associated flooding has displaced millions, killing almost 1,000 people according to officials in affected countries.
The UN also says the cyclone could be one of the worst weather-related disaster recorded in the southern hemisphere.
Matthew Cochrane, spokesman for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provided these details at a U.N. briefing in Geneva.
A woman’s relentless heart, in the devastating #CycloneIdai these women save one of theirs being swept away by the flooded #BiriiriRiver, #Chimanimani.RT for help.#AMothersLove#WITZim
Credit:Unknown@InfoMinZW @PROWEB2005 @RuvhenekoP @kvgroyalty @Newsbae @iMisred @trucilamutasa pic.twitter.com/93SZ6bKxGT— Women In Tourism Zimbabwe (@WITZim) March 16, 2019
He said “There’s a sense from people on the ground that the world still really hasn’t caught on to how severe this disaster is.”
“The full horror, the full impact is only going to emerge over coming days,” Cochrane added.
Clare Nullis of the U.N. World Meteorological Organization also revealed that the cyclone is “is one of the worst weather-related disasters, tropical-cyclone-related disasters in the southern hemisphere.”
Extent of damage
Cyclone Idai destroyed homes, schools, hospitals among others in mainly three countries – Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
A flooded Nyahonde river in Rusitu, Chimanimani as many are displaced and lives lost in the process. Help the Red Cross help others.#Zimbabweans4Zimbabweans #CycloneIdaiZW @ICRC_SAfrica @IFRCAfrica @ItalyinZimbabwe @SwedeninZW @ZBCNewsonline @daddyhope @takemorem1 @kimstambuli pic.twitter.com/1kl6QWcj37
— Zimbabwe Red Cross (@ZrcsRed) March 17, 2019
Thousands have also been cut off from roads with telephones, power and water supplies hugely affected in rural areas.
Many rivers in affected countries have also broken their banks, leaving a huge area covered by the waters, and only accessible by air and water.
Rescue efforts are still ongoing to support those in dire need of help.
The cyclone Idai was expected to make a landfall in these three countries after days of heavy rains led to deadly flooding.
Source: Africafeeds.com
