By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The death toll from tropical cyclone Chido in the northern Mozambican provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa, has risen from 94 to 120.
Data announced on Monday afternoon by the National Disaster Risk Management Institute (INGD), in Maputo, indicate that, in addition to the fatalities, the number of injured people has also risen, to 868.
Cabo Delgado province registered the largest number of deaths, with 110 victims, followed by Nampula, with seven, and Niassa, with three. As for the injured there were 840 in Cabo Delgado, 24 in Nampula and four in Niassa.
The intense tropical cyclone, with strong winds and torrential rains, affected 90,513 households (equivalent to 453,971 people) in Nampula, Niassa, Cabo Delgado, Tete and Sofala provinces.
According to the INGD, 70,408 houses were destroyed and a further 32,207 were damaged.
The number of health units affected rose from 49 to 52 while the number of places of worship damaged rose from 26 to 94.
In the education sector, 250 schools were affected, with 1,126 classrooms damaged. As a result, classes were interrupted for 109,793 pupils and 1,556 teachers.
The cyclone also hit water supply. Ten water supply systems were damaged, The INGD also reported that 125 public buildings were affected, and 11 communication towers. 338 electricity pylons were knocked down. This limited access to communications in the affected areas.
According to the INGD, 1,349 people are currently taking shelter in four accommodation centres. (NM)
