Southern Africa hit by Cyclone Idai

Some countries in Southern Africa have been hit by a furious cyclone. The affected countries are Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Cyclone Idai first hit Beira and then moved inland spreading heavy winds and rainfall to Zimbabwe and Malawi. According to reports, the scale of the damage to Beira is massive and horrifying.

Beira is Mozambique’s central port city. It is estimated that as much as 90 per cent of the city has been damaged or destroyed by the tropical storm.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Beira was severely battered by the cyclone which cut off electricity, forced the airport to shut down and closed road access to the city of 500,000. Hundreds of people have been declared missing due to the devastation.

More than one million people have been affected by the widespread destruction and flooding.