Status: 03/13/2023 5:17 p.m
Tropical storm Freddy has been raging for more than a month, leaving a trail of devastation in southeast Africa. At least 60 people died. This is his second time in the region.
The extraordinarily long-lived tropical storm “Freddy” has left a trail of devastation in southeast Africa for the second time in a month. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the cyclone is on track to set a new record as the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record.
At least 56 people have died in Malawi since the storm hit the country on Friday night, state broadcaster MBC said. According to the Ministry of Health, at least eight people have died in neighboring Mozambique over the weekend.
Half a million people need humanitarian aid
The cyclone had also killed people on the island state of Madagascar. According to official figures, at least 91 people have been killed in total in the three countries. These are preliminary casualty figures.
According to the UN Emergency Relief Office Ocha, almost half a million people in Madagascar and Mozambique need humanitarian aid. The full extent of the damage can therefore only be assessed in the next few days.
Tropical storm formed off Australia
On February 6, the tropical storm had formed off the northwest coast of Australia and was declared a cyclone. After crossing the entire southern Indian Ocean, “Freddy” made landfall in Madagascar on February 21 and Mozambique on February 24, causing severe devastation.
Cyclone season through April
In a rare loop, it then returned to Madagascar last week with even greater power and more rain, before reaching Mozambique again on Saturday evening and finally Malawi early Monday. According to the forecasts, “Freddy” is likely to head out to sea again during the week and weaken as it does so.
Southern Africa is currently in cyclone season which can bring rain and severe storms through March or April.