The death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has risen to 73, according to the country’s institute for natural disasters.
The powerful storm caused widespread devastation, tearing apart homes and leaving thousands without shelter. The initial figure of 45 fatalities was updated as more reports came in from affected areas.
Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province on Sunday, bringing destructive winds and heavy rains.
The storm’s force ripped corrugated iron sheets from houses, leaving many residents exposed to the elements.
Survivors described harrowing experiences, with one woman recounting how she and her family moved around inside their home to escape the pouring rain as their roof was torn away piece by piece.
As the storm passed, residents began the difficult task of rebuilding their lives. Many families now face the challenge of reconstructing homes from scratch while relying on aid organisations for basic necessities.
Relief efforts are ongoing, with long queues for supplies forming in the hardest-hit areas.
In neighbouring Malawi, Cyclone Chido caused further destruction, with the death toll there rising to 13, up from seven previously reported.
The storm reached continental Africa after sweeping through the French territory of Mayotte, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Efforts to assess the full scale of the damage and provide assistance to affected communities are underway in both countries.
