By Bahle Gama
The death toll following Cyclone Freddy has risen to 190.
Spokesperson of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Chipiliro Khamula disclosed this at the emergency data centre in Limbe, where he was briefing the Minister of Natural Resources, Micheal Usi.
He said the cyclone has displaced over 4 300 households as of Tuesday morning. So far, 784 people have been injured while 37 are still missing. He further said rescue efforts are still underway.
Read More: Cyclone Freddy kills 99 more in Malawi
On March 13, Weather models projected that Cyclone Freddy will recurve into the Mozambique channel later in the week but at a very weakened stage. The cyclone is likely to die when it enters the Mozambique channel.
Some of the notable 24-hour rainfall figures reported that at 8:00am8:00 am include 291.1mm from Bvumbwe-Thyolo, 268.6mm Chichiri -Blantyre, 261.0mm Chatha-Blantyre, 263.1mm Chididi Nsanje, 210.6mm Fatima-Nsanje,199.0mm Phalombe, 185.0mm Makhanga-Nsanje, 135.5mm Lurwe-Nsanje, 127.2mm Malosa-Zomba, 99mm Machinga.
Read More: Cyril Ramaphosa offers condolences to nations ravaged by Cyclone Freddy
Councils reported incidences of flooding, strong winds, and mudslides that have displaced the aforementioned number of households translating to approximately 19 000 people in Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Mulanje, Blantyre, Thyolo, Chiradzulu and Blantyre City.
45 camps have been established. Of the 190 people, some have reportedly died due to mudslides in Chilobwe township in the Blantyre district. Some of the injured people are currently receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
All the Councils are currently conducting rapid assessments to establish the number of households affected by the cyclone.
