Mozambique hit by Cyclone Gezani with multiple fatalities reported

Mozambique’s Inhambane Hit by Cyclone Gezani

A powerful storm has struck Mozambique’s southern coastal province of Inhambane, resulting in at least four fatalities. The cyclone, which is part of the larger Cyclone Gezani, made landfall on Saturday and brought strong winds of up to 215km per hour (134mph) to the area.

According to officials, the storm caused significant damage, including downed trees and power lines, leaving over 13,000 people without electricity. Water supplies were also disrupted in several districts of Inhambane, a city home to approximately 100,000 residents.

The cyclone’s impact on Mozambique comes just one day after it tore through Madagascar, resulting in at least 41 fatalities and widespread destruction. The storm caused an estimated $142m in damage in Madagascar, with over 427 people injured and more than 16,300 displaced.

In addition to the damage in Madagascar, Mozambique has recently experienced severe flooding that affected over 700,000 people and damaged more than 170,000 homes. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on this recent disaster.

The cyclone’s eye passed over Toamasina, Madagascar’s second-largest city, leaving it severely impacted. The city’s population is approximately 400,000, with reports indicating that around 75 percent of the area has been destroyed.

Source: Al Jazeera