Mozambique/Zimbabwe/Malawi: Cyclone Idai leaves trail of destruction, killing at least 150 people March 18 /update 6

Event

At least 150 people were killed, and another 1.5 million displaced across northern and central Mozambique, as well as southern Malawi and Zimbabwe, following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Idai on March 14-16. Idai struck the town of Beira located in the Sofala province (central Mozambique) on March 14, resulting in significant damages; according to the International Red Cross NGO, 90 percent of the town of Beira was destroyed by the cyclone. Communication lines have been completely cut and roads have been destroyed, while Beira Airport (BEW) remains closed as of Monday, March 18.

In Zimbabwe, the government has declared a state of disaster in areas affected by the storm, notably in Manicaland province with the most affected areas being Chimanimani and Chipinge districts. Flooding, power outages, infrastructure damage, and transportation disruptions, including road closures were reported in affected aras.

The Southern region in Malawi is particularly affected.

The death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations are still ongoing as of March 18. 

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate flooding and associated transportation disruptions, including road closures, and remember that walking or driving through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of moving water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.