On Monday, police reported that Tropical Cyclone Freddy had resulted in at least 11 deaths in the Blantyre region of Malawi, with 16 people unaccounted for due to the destruction it caused. Cyclone Freddy has set records for the duration and intensity of tropical cyclones in the southern hemisphere. The cyclone swept through central Mozambique on Sunday before moving inland to Malawi overnight, accompanied by heavy rains and fierce storms.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy is being felt, with water levels high in many rivers in the southern districts. The Thuchira River at Kambenje, which is the boundary between Mulanje and Phalombe districts, is already flooding downstream as the rains continue.
Malawi Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya stated that search teams are still looking for missing individuals in Chilobwe and Ndirande, which are among the hardest-hit areas in Blantyre. The death toll and the number of missing persons are expected to rise as the cyclone affected 10 districts, but the reported figures pertain only to Blantyre.
Concerns have been raised that some of the missing may be buried under debris, and our team is working with other local agencies to address the situation.
Heavy rains caused by Cyclone Freddy have made some areas inaccessible. This morning, the WFP is using its boat to transport humanitarian workers who are braving the storm to rescue a stranded health worker in Nsanje.
