Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences over loss of lives in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar due to Cyclone Freddy.
He said that India would always be standing with the people of the affected countries in tough times. PM Modi said,”Distressed by the devastation due to Cyclone Freddy in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar. Condolences to President @LAZARUSCHAKWERA, President Filipe Nyusi and President @SE_Rajoelina, bereaved families and those affected by the cyclone. India stands with you in this tough time,”
At least 190 people have died after Tropical Cyclone Freddy ripped through southern Malawi. Survivors continue looking for their loved ones in badly-hit regions. At least 584 have been injured and 37 people have been reported missing in Malawi.
On Tuesday, the Malawi Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change noted that the cyclone was weakening but would continue to cause torrential rains associated with windy conditions in most parts of Southern Malawi districts.
It was reported that the threat of heavy flooding and damaging winds remained very high.
In Mozambique at least 10 people were killed and 13 injured in the Zambezia province. Cyclone Freddy has broken records for the longest-lasting storm of its kind after making landfall in Mozambique for a second time.
More than 22,000 people have been displaced by the tropical storm as per the news report. Guy Taylor, chief of advocacy, communications and partnerships for UNICEF in Mozambique said, “It’s quite likely that number will go up.” Taylor noted that the size or strength of the storm was much higher than the last time.
The storm hit the eastern coast of Madagascar on February 21 before slamming into Mozambique a few days later, bringing torrential rain, destructive winds and flooding. The storm destroyed houses and affected nearly 2 million people. At least 15 people have died in Madagascar since Freddy first hit at the end of February, Africa News reported.