The death toll from Cyclone Idai, which devastated Mozambique and Zimbabwe last month, is nearing 1,000, according to the latest figures released by the two governments.

Zimbabwe on Tuesday updated its toll to 344 while Mozambique said recorded fatalities stood at 602, taking the combined tally to 946.

Zimbabwean Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told reporters that 257 people listed as missing when heavy winds and floods struck the country on the night of March 14-15 were now considered dead.

"The search and recovery process is now confined to recovery. The missing persons can now be presumed dead," she said.

More than two million people -- 1.85 million of them in Mozambique -- were affected by Idai.

The UN has described the cyclone as "one of the deadliest storms on record" in the southern hemisphere."

It is seeking $282 million (251 million euros) to fund emergency assistance over the next three months.

Before the cyclone hit, floods in Malawi affected about 900,000 people and claimed 60 lives, according to the government.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

After cyclone ruin, back to square one for Mozambique's Beira
Maputo (AFP) April 9, 2019
Daviz Simango, mayor of Beira on the Mozambican coast, had worked to shore up the city's climate defences, drawing on World Bank help to build deterrents against rising seas, flooding and storms. But in just a few hours last month, Cyclone Idai devastated the city of half-a-million people, wiping out his efforts. Packing winds twice the speed Beira was built to withstand, the superstorm swamped the city's drainage system, overwhelmed its floodgates and mocked its brand-new basin, designed to hol ... read more