In a tragic turn of events, nearly 200 people are now confirmed dead in Malawi as a result of the devastating tropical cyclone Freddy that ripped through southern Africa for the second time in just a month.
The rain is continuing to fall, and rescue workers are struggling to find both the de@d and the survivors in the mud. As a result, the de@th toll is expected to rise.
The heavy rains triggered floods and mudslides, which caused extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. Power and communications are still down in many of the affected areas, and an estimated 19,000 people have been displaced.
Unfortunately, the lack of power and communications is hindering aid operations, and with most of the affected regions still inaccessible, the full extent of the damage remains unknown.
“Residents are devastated as they survey the destruction. This whole area was filled with houses,” said Matera resident Steve Panganani, pointing to a wasteland of mud and water on a hillside.
“Now people are gone, things are gone, everything is gone, gone down from up there. Down, down. It was a newly created area. There were plenty of houses, but they are all gone,” Matera added.
Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera has declared a “state of disaster” in the country’s southern region and the now-ravaged commercial capital, Blantyre. Meteorologists project that Freddy will continue to bring extreme rainfall to southern Malawi and central Mozambique before it exits back to the sea late Wednesday afternoon.
As the rain continues to fall and the situation remains dire, the people of Malawi are in desperate need of aid and assistance.
The lack of power and communications is making it difficult for rescue workers and aid organizations to provide the necessary support, but efforts are underway to reach those affected by the cyclone.
With the de@th toll expected to rise, it is important that the international community comes together to support the people of Malawi in their time of need.