Multiple sources report a devastating toll as tropical cyclone Freddy swept through Malawi, leaving at least 99 people dead and 134 others injured. An official update from the Ministry of Disaster Management confirms that 16 individuals remain unaccounted for, underscoring the ongoing search for missing persons in the aftermath of the storm.
The scale of the disaster is evident in the stark figures released by national authorities. More than 13,000 people were displaced from their homes, with thousands seeking shelter in temporary facilities and community centers. In a statement disseminated via social media, local officials noted that nearly 3,000 homes sustained damage or were destroyed. Humanitarian teams, including NGOs and government agencies, are coordinating relief efforts on the ground, focusing on rescue operations, shelter, and essential supplies as part of a broader response strategy executed by the country’s Defence Forces, Police Service, and Navy.
Malawi has borne the brunt of one of the longest-lasting cyclones observed in the southern hemisphere, an event that also disrupted neighboring nations in the Indian Ocean region. The cyclone’s path affected Madagascar and Mozambique as well, with the latter country reporting two landfalls and substantial impacts. Across the archipelago and coastal areas, communities faced flooding, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to livelihoods, prompting urgent calls for international assistance and coordinated regional relief missions. The wide-reaching effects underscore the need for sustained recovery efforts and resilient rebuilding in affected districts and islands, as noted by disaster management commentators and regional observers (Ministry of Disaster Management, Malawi; regional humanitarian agencies).