The Latest: Portugal sends rescuers to Mozambique on WTOP| CHIMANIMANI, Zimbabwe (AP) — The Latest on the aftermath of Cyclone Idai in southern Africa (all times local): 1:30 p.m. Portugal is sending an intervention taskforce to help in the search and rescue of survivors in Mozambique following the…
CHIMANIMANI, Zimbabwe (AP) — The Latest on the aftermath of Cyclone Idai in southern Africa (all times local):
8:40 p.m.
Reports from the United Nations and African governments say Cyclone Idai’s death toll has risen to over 550 people.
A U. N. official says Cyclone Idai has killed 242 people in Mozambique and 56 people in Malawi, according to government reports. Another 259 deaths have been cited in Zimbabwe from the country’s defense minister.
Gemma Connell, head of the U. N. humanitarian office for southern and eastern Africa, said Thursday from Mozambique’s capital of Maputo that those figures are expected to rise, especially in Mozambique, where many areas remain inundated.
Connell visited the Mozambique city of Beira on Wednesday and flew over affected areas including the town of Buzi, which was under water for several days after the cyclone hit March 14. She says there is still the threat of secondary floods.
She said Cyclone Idai has created “a hugely complex situation” that requires “an even more complex response.” She urged nations to donate as much as possible to help those left hungry and homeless.
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7:45 p.m.
Zimbabwe’s president has declared two days of mourning starting Saturday for the untold number of victims from Cyclone Idai.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he witnessed “unmitigated despair” during his tour of the area, including the destruction of police stations.
At least 200 people have died in Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony in southeast Africa, and more in neighboring Zimbabwe, as a result of the cyclone, which hit March 14 and brought widespread flooding.
Zimbabwe’s defense minister says Thursday that the cyclone killed at least 259 people in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa says both prison guards and prisoners were washed away to their deaths as the storm slammed into government buildings.
