Cyclone Chido killed at least 94 people in Mozambique during its deadly foray into the Indian Ocean last week, the country’s disaster management agency said on Sunday, raising the previous death toll to 76.
Hurricane-force winds and rains that hit Mozambique last week also destroyed more than 110,000 homes. Earlier media reported more than 500 injured and 329,000 refugees in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Niasa, Nampula, Tete and Sofala.
The cyclone originated on December 7-8 in the southeastern Indian Ocean. From there, it began travelling westwards towards the coast of Africa. The island of Mayotte (French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean) was the first to meet it, where the death toll has not yet been fully established. A day of mourning was declared on December 23 on the island.
Mayotte is located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, west of Madagascar. Consisting of two main islands, it is about twice the size of Washington, DC.
Macron announced that a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the disaster will be declared in France next Monday.
About 500 people were affected and 24,000 homes were destroyed in Mozambique, according to the National Institute for Risk and Disaster Management. From Mozambique, the storm moved westwards, affecting Zimbabwe and Malawi.
In Malawi, Chido caused 13 deaths, numerous buildings were destroyed and 45,000 Malawians were left homeless.
The country’s INGD said the cyclone affected the education and health sectors. More than 109,793 students were affected and school infrastructure was severely damaged.
