The death toll from cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe has rose to 761, according to latest statistics from the three countries.
The cyclone that hit the region more than a week ago killed 446 people in Mozambique alone, 259 in Zimbabwe and 56 in Malawi. The number of victims expected to rise due to severe floods and poor. Weather conditions hampering relief efforts in the three countries.
The cyclone also caused damage to thousands of buildings and affected nearly 2 million people as they live without electricity, drinking water in the areas devastated by floods.
Mozambique’s Environment Minister Celso Correa on Monday said the death toll was only a preliminary figure, expressing his expectation of higher output.
About 228,000 people are now living in makeshift camps after the cyclone flooded vast areas of the country, he said, adding that it is still too early to announce the number of missing people.
Earlier, the United Nations said officials would only be able to determine the final number of victims after flood waters receded.
