Cyclone Idai Situation Update

It has been over a month since Tropical Cyclone Idai caused devastation in south east Africa.

Idai made landfall in Beira City, Sofala Province, Mozambique on 14 and 15 March. It is the worst tropical cyclone to hit Africa and the southern hemisphere. 

Four countries including Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi were affected. The system formed on 4 March, was upgraded to a Tropical Cyclone on 10 March and intensified to an Intense Tropical Cyclone with a maximum sustained wind speed of 194 km/h (121 mph). This is equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Damaging wind, torrential rainfall and storm surge led to widespread flooding and catastrophic destruction. Thousands were trapped on rooftops and trees awaiting rescue. 1,400 people were rescued in Mozambique alone. Flood water and damaged transport infrastructure left communities cut off. Extensive damage was also caused by landslides. 

Mozambique was the hardest hit with 1.85 million affected and 603 confirmed fatalities. 

As of 26 April:

• 997 fatalities have been confirmed so far
• >2,381 injured
• > 3 million have been affected
• >177,796 remain displaced
• 3.7 million people are in need of assistance
• 1.9 million children are in need of assistance

The infographics below show an update on the situation.

Damage and needs assessments continue and figures are likely to rise. Relief efforts are also ongoing.

16 countries deployed assets to support the relief effort. A summary of this can be found in the figure below.

Countries who deployed assets to support aid effort (Source: OCHA)

Responding organisations in Mozambique (Source: OCHA) 

You can find the full version here.

Responding organisations in Zimbabwe (Source: OCHA) 

You can find the full version here.

• You can find previous infographics of Cyclone Idai here.
• If you would like more detailed and up to date information from aid agencies responding to Idai, visit Reliefweb.