CYCLONE Chido has killed 94 people in Mozambique since it made landfall in the east African country last week, local authorities have said.
The country’s National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) said 768 people were injured and more than 622,000 people affected by the natural disaster in some capacity.
Chido hit Mozambique on 15 December with winds of 260 km/h (160mph) and 250mm of rainfall in the first 24 hours.
The same cyclone had first wreaked havoc in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, before moving on to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
In Mozambique, the storm struck northern provinces that are regularly battered by cyclones. It first reached Cabo Delgado, then travelled further inland to Niassa and Nampula.
The country’s INGD said the cyclone impacted the education and health sector. More than 109,793 students were affected, with school infrastructure severely damaged.
Some 52 sanitary units were damaged, the INGD said, which further risks access to essential health services. This is exacerbated further in areas where access to healthcare facilities were already limited before the cyclone.
Daniel Chapo, leader of Mozambique’s ruling party, told local media the government is mobilising support on “all levels” in response to the cyclone.
Speaking during a visit to Cabo Delgado on Sunday, one of the most badly affected areas, Chapo said the government is working alongside the INGD to ensure those affected in the provinces of Mecúfi, Nampula, Memba and Niassa can rebuild.
In Mayotte, Chido was the worst storm to hit the archipelago in 90 years, leaving tens of thousands of people reeling from the catastrophe.
The interior ministry in its latest update confirmed 35 people had died.
Mayotte’s prefect previously told local media the death toll could rise significantly once the damage was fully assessed, warning it would “definitely be several hundred” and could reach thousands.
More than 1,300 officers were deployed to support the local population.
One week on, many residents still lack basic necessities, while running water is making a gradual return to the territory’s capital. The ministry has advised people to boil water for three minutes before consuming it.
