Freddy claimed over 100 lives, declared a national disaster

In Malawi, a “national disaster” was declared in some cities due to Hurricane Freddy, which killed more than 100 people in the south of the country.

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera declared a “national disaster” in 10 different southern regions after destruction caused by floods and overflows in and around Blantyre, one of the country’s major commercial cities. Presidential Secretary Colleen Zamba said the government is trying its hardest to deliver aid to those affected by the disaster and called on local and international aid organizations to support the work.

The cities declared as national disasters were reported to be Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Thyolo, Phalombe and Zomba.

Malawi police announced that the bodies of more than 100 people have been exhumed so far. Education and transportation services are also not available in the region.

The World Meteorological Organization announced that Freddy, which first formed last month and struck Madagascar on February 21 and Mozambique 3 days later, could be “the longest-lasting hurricane on record.” In the first hurricane, which affected approximately 226,000 people in Madagascar and 163,000 people in Mozambique, dozens of people lost their lives. (AA)