Retour du cyclone Freddy: au moins quinze morts au Malawi et au Mozambique

The total number of victims in the region, after the two crossings of the Cyclone in two weeks, is now forty-two dead.

the world with AFP

At least fifteen people were killed in Malawi and Mozambique by the return of Cyclone Freddy, which hit twice in southern Africa, according to a loop trajectory observed by meteorologists, according to still partial assessments of local authorities Monday March 13.

Cyclone Freddy trajectory, above Madagascar (right) then on the southern African coasts (left). Météo France

eleven people died in the region of Blantyre (South), the economic capital of Malawi, according to local police. And at least four in Mozambique, in the province of Zambezia (center) opened on the Mozambique canal, local authorities announced to the France-Presse agency. The cyclone also struck Madagascar a second time last week, killing ten. 2>

torrential rains 2>

Freddy had already caused the death of seventeen people in total during his first visit to the region at the end of February, ten in Mozambique and seven in Madagascar. The total number of victims after the two crossings of the cyclone in two weeks is now forty-two dead. But the balance sheets of his second pass, still provisional because of communications cut by the weather, could still climb.

The city of Quelimane, on the Mozambican coast, March 12, 2023. Alfredo Zuniga/AFP > The cyclone touched Earth in Mozambique when he returned on Saturday evening. He then struck the south of the neighboring Malawi on the night of Sunday to Monday. Torrential rains have led to floods and mudslides. Freddy should leave for the sea during the week and weaken, according to forecasts.

The phenomenon described as “extraordinary” by meteorologists, which formed off Australia reaching the storm stadium on February 6, has been raging in the Indian Ocean for thirty-five days. During his first visit, he had remained off the French island of Reunion and Mauritius, causing limited damage. Before finally touching the land on the east coast of Madagascar on February 21 and continuing its way to Mozambique.