The death toll from Cyclone Freddy’s impact on parts of Malawi stands at least 190 people, while Mozambique and Madagascar have reported 14 deaths. The number of fatalities is likely to increase as dozens of people are missing, and scores have been injured. Thousands of residents in affected countries have been displaced by the cyclone. Malawi has declared a state of emergency due to the cyclone, and officials fear the number of casualties may rise.
Cyclone Freddy caused extensive destruction after making landfall in Africa for the second time in a month on Saturday night. This cyclone has broken several records, including gathering momentum multiple times after weakening and generating the highest-ever recorded accumulated energy for a storm. It is also on track to become the longest-ever recorded tropical cyclone. Malawian officials predict that the storm will weaken starting today, and it remains to be seen if the full extent of the damage will be known.
Keminni Amanor is joined on on the Square by Benjamin Kaneka, Senior Lecturer, Population Studies, University of Malawi and Maziko Hisbon Matemba, Health Activist and Executive Director, Health and Rights Education Programme, Blantyre, Malawi. Watch
