More than 120 people have died and many more are missing in Mozambique and neighbouring Zimbabwe after tropical cyclone Idai hit the southern African nations with flash floods and ferocious winds.
Authorities in Mozambique said the toll there had risen to 62 in the centre of the country, while Zimbabwe said 65 people were killed in affected eastern areas, after the cyclone tore across the region on Friday and Saturday.
“I think this is the biggest natural disaster Mozambique has ever faced. Everything is destroyed. Our priority now is to save human lives,” said Mozambique’s environment Minister Celso Correia.
In Zimbabwe, eastern Chimanimani district was the worst hit part of the country, where houses and bridges were washed away by flash floods.
The most affected areas were not yet accessible, while high winds and dense clouds hampered military rescue helicopter flights.
“So far we looking at 65 people that have lost their lives,” Joshua Sacco, lawmaker for Chimanimani said , adding that between “150 to 200 people” were missing.