Mozambique coast devastated by tropical cyclone

BEIRA, Mozambique

Mozambique’s coastal city of Beira and its surrounding towns bear the traces of catastrophe after having been hit by the winds and floods of Hurricane Idai.

Many areas in the city still lack power after the tropical depression made landfall in early March, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents on the ground.

Returnees have to struggle with what has been left after the torrential storm caused dwellings to flood across the city on the Mozambique Channel coast, 90 percent of which has been destroyed, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

The hurricane also affected agricultural lands and infrastructure, with damaged roads plaguing transportation from Beria to the surrounding areas, and international aid unable to reach residents via the storm-hit air and sea ports, authorities said.

Tropical Cyclone Idai killed a total of 446 people in Mozambique, 56 people in Malawi and about 250 people in Zimbabwe.

Cyclone Idai, made landfall in Mozambique's port city of Beira on March 14 with winds of up to 110 miles (177 kilometers) per hour, leading to hundreds of deaths.

According to UN statements and local media, tens of thousands have lost their homes, crops washed away and roads damaged across the three countries.

Many areas in Mozambique remain without electricity, and almost all networks have been severely damaged, according to the UN.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic