Mozambique’s Cyclone Chido death toll now at 73

According to the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management, the number of people killed by Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has risen to 73.

The disaster center reported on Thursday that at least 66 of the fatalities took place in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

It stated that one person was missing and that four people had been slain in Nampula province and three in Niassa, which is farther inland.

The cyclone, which produced winds of over 260 kilometers per hour (161 miles per hour) and torrential rainfall of roughly 250 millimeters (10 inches) in a 24-hour period, injured over 540 people, according to the center.

After sweeping through the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, where hundreds of people are thought to have died, Chido made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday.

According to the report, over 13,400 homes were partially demolished and over 39,100 homes were completely destroyed.

According to Mozambique’s disaster center, the storm affected around 329,500 people.

Chido hit a region of northern Mozambique that is already at risk due to violence and underdevelopment and is frequently hit by storms.

Guy Taylor, a spokesman for UNICEF in Mozambique, said the situation in huge areas of northern Mozambique can be characterized as “devastation.”

“This is an area of the country where many, many people are already living in extremely precarious circumstances.

“Mozambique is a country where we already have 3.4 million children in need of humanitarian assistance,” he said.

“Even before this crisis, many people, including children, families, have lost everything.

“We saw houses, whole villages completely smashed to smithereens, really.

“So people need shelter”, he added.

According to Malawi’s disaster management organization, the storm killed 13 people and injured hundreds more after moving into the country from Mozambique.

Currently: Mayotte’s destruction

According to French authorities, at least 31 verified deaths and over 1,500 injuries, including more than 200 serious injuries, have occurred in the French overseas territory of Mayonette.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs reported that France has asked the European mechanism to provide 10,000 tents and emergency housing to assist Mayotte.

People on storm-ravaged during his tour of the foreign territory on Thursday, Mayotte urged French President Emmanuel Macron to do more to assist.

Over 220 km/h (136 mph) winds tore off the roofs and walls of houses that collapsed over the occupants taking refuge inside.

A large area of hillside houses in the slum Kaweni, outside the capital Mamoudzou, had been reduced to bits of lumber designating the frame where residences formerly stood, mounds of clothing and bedding, and pieces of plastic and corrugated metal.

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