Cyclone Idai a ‘massive disaster’ in Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Survivors cling to trees as water levels rise in southern Africa
Cyclone Idai has caused a “massive disaster” in southern Africa affecting hundreds of thousands if not millions of people, says the United Nations.
The cyclone, which caused devastation in Mozambique before striking Zimbabwe and Malawi, has been described as “one of the worst weather-related disasters” in the southern hemisphere.
Reports say the cyclone has destroyed almost everything in its path and caused devastating floods. It has killed and injured thousands of people and ruined crops. The Times says survivors are “clinging to trees and rooftops to escape rising waters”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
More than 2.6m people could be affected across the three countries. Mozambique’s President, Filipe Nyusi, said the death toll could reach 1,000. He called it “a humanitarian disaster of great proportion”.
The United Nations has allocated $20m (£15m) from its emergency response fund to help. Britain is sending up to £6m in aid for victims in Mozambique and Malawi, two of Africa’s poorest countries.
A spokeswoman for the World Meteorological Organisation, Claire Nullis, said: “What we are seeing emerging from our informal networks and from the official databases is if the worst fears are realised... it is one of the worst weather-related disasters in the southern hemisphere.”
Meanwhile, experts say the climate crisis is making deadly storms like this more severe.
Dr Friederike Otto, of Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute, told The Guardian: “There are three factors with storms like this: rainfall, storm surge and wind. Rainfall levels are on the increase because of climate change, and storm surges are more severe because of sea level rises.”
Paulo Ceppi, of the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, agreed, saying: “There is a direct link between global warming and cyclone intensity.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Gladiator II: Paul Mescal 'mesmerising' in 'relentlessly entertaining' sequel
The Week Recommends Ridley Scott's 'primary aim' is fun, in this 'exhilarating' blockbuster
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Bluesky: the social media platform causing a mass X-odus
The Explainer Social media platform is enjoying a new influx but can it usurp big rivals?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Justin Welby has stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury
In the Spotlight 'Lack of curiosity' over claims of abuse of dozens of boys by Christian camp leader had made Welby's position untenable
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published