First Published Jan 28, 2022, 1:23 PM IST
ESouth Africa, Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique were hit hard by the typhoon Ana Anju. The storm killed 147 people. More than 70 people have been killed in floods in South Africa alone following the storm. At least 48 people were killed in Madagascar, 11 in Malawi and 18 in Mozambique. In Madagascar, 130,000 people fled their homes and moved to safer places following the storm.
Malawi power outage following storm Some parts of the country have been declared disaster zones. It is estimated that 20,000 people were affected by the floods. In Mozambique, Hurricane Ana destroyed 10,000 homes, dozens of schools and hospitals and power lines. Prime Minister Carlos Agostino or Do Rosario said heavy rains and thunderstorms continued in some areas after the storm passed.
His country does not beg for help, but Carlos Agostino or Do Rosario said it is greater than any country’s ability to meet the challenge. In addition, he pointed to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
“We are a nation that does not make a significant contribution to climate change, but we are one of the countries most affected by it,” said Carlos Agostino or Rosario, who said the UNICEF, a children’s charity, would send staff to Mozambique to help 45,000 people who need humanitarian assistance.
Mirta Coulard, UN Resident Coordinator in Mozambique, said the challenge was very, very high. Malawi declared a natural disaster. The floods affected infrastructure and homes, including electricity. Distressed cities were left in the lurch as water levels rose and power was cut off.
44 emergency camps have been set up for thousands of displaced and injured people. “It’s devastating. All my corn crop was destroyed. I planted corn on one and a half acres. Everything was destroyed without a single one.” Robin Mfassa, a farmer in the Chihuahua area of Malawi, told Archyde.com.
“This is the second tragedy I’ve experienced in my life. But it’s the worst.” Noria Kananji said the roof of her house was blown off during the storm and four nearby houses were destroyed. Madagascar has the highest death toll since a typhoon hit the coast on Monday.
Schools and gyms in the capital, Antananarivo, have been turned into emergency shelters for displaced people. Meanwhile, the regional meteorological office warned of another storm in the Indian Ocean. The regional meteorological office warns that it will be one of several such storms that are usually expected before the end of the season in two months.