(UPDATE) Cyclone Idai death toll rises to 98 in Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) - The death toll from Cyclone Idai that hit Zimbabwe Thursday has risen to 98, with 217 missing, official sources announced here Monday.
Late last night into the early hours of this morning, 82 people were confirmed dead with an unknown number of people missing from the category three Cyclone Idai storm with warnings of more deaths.
“#CycloneIdaiUpdate Number of casualties as of 18/03/19: Total deaths 98, Missing 217, Injured 102, Marooned 42,” the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services tweeted.
Government is disbursing RTGS$50 million (US$18 518 518) in emergency funds towards disaster relief efforts.
Out of his amount, the Civil Protection Unit will receive RTGS$3 million; Roads Department- trunk roads and damaged bridges, RTGS$25 million; restoration of rural feeder roads and other structures, RTGS$7,2 million; education, RTGS$4 million; health, RTGS$3 million; water and sanitation, RTGS$4,8 million; and electricity, RTGS$1 million.
Cyclone Idai entered Zimbabwe from Mozambique last Thursday night and wreaked havoc till Sunday in the eastern Manicaland Province, with the Chimanimani District being the hardest hit.
With winds of up to 170 km/hr and heavy rains causing flooding, Cyclone Idai left a trail of destruction in the Manicaland Province, as roads, bridges, houses, cars, and other property were badly damaged.
Most of the confirmed dead and missing were from the Chimanimani District, the officials said.
As at Monday, activist Freeman Chari had raised US$16 000 on the American crowd sourcing website GoFundMe from 505 people towards disaster relief efforts as against the initial target of US$10 000 and a new target of US$20 000.
The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe (MSDZ), in an update, reported that remnant moisture in the atmosphere resulted in rainfall activity in most parts of the country Monday.
“Remnant moisture in the atmosphere resulted in rainfall activity in most parts of the country with significant falls in Manicaland Province, Masvingo Province and Mashonaland East Province. Notable amounts were recorded at: Chivhu (99mm), Mutoko (58mm), Mukandi (53mm), Nyanga (48mm), and Rusape (40mm),” the MSDZ reported.
In its forecast for Tuesday, the MSDZ said “isolated thunderstorms (were) expected in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Harare Metropolitan, and Manicaland provinces. The rest of the country should be mostly sunny, mild in the morning becoming warm in the afternoon”.
Relief and rescue efforts are being led by the Zimbabwe National Army in partnership with American humanitarian organisation Mercy Corps, Zimbabwe Red Cross, United Nations Migration, the British agency, the Department for International Development. and a growing list of well wishers.
-0- PANA RA 18Mar2019
