Renson Mwakandana
When the strong cyclone Freddy made a comeback and killed hundreds, Malawi’s president on Monday proclaimed a state of calamity in seven southern regions, including the commercial capital Blantyre.
After Cyclone Freddy left a path of destruction and claimed more than 60 lives in the southern African nation, President Lazarus Chakwera “has noted with grave concern the devastation that Cyclone Freddy is currently bringing to most districts… and declared a state of disaster in the Southern region,” according to the presidency.
According to the statement, the government is already responding to the calamity and is pleading for national and international humanitarian assistance for the impacted families.
According to the Red Cross, more than 60 dead were discovered during the day in southern Malawi where torrential rains caused flooding. There are still more persons missing.
At least 36 dead were found in the municipality of Chilobwe, “which has been hit the most,” according to regional police spokesperson Beatrice Mikuwa. Dozens of homes were also destroyed.
Freddy, which is on pace to set a record for the longest storm duration, returned to southern Africa over the weekend after initially making landfall there in late February.
