The tragedy of Cyclone Freddy begins its next act

But lessons in how to prepare and survive extreme weather events do seem to be being learned

Good afternoon. The tragedy of Cyclone Freddy continues to unfold. First came the wind and rain, claiming at least 165 lives, now health authorities in Zambezia are scrambling to control a rampant cholera outbreak as locals rebuild their lives amid the debris of their homes. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops are underwater, depriving untold numbers of their livelihoods, and to make matters worse, saltwater carried inland by the cyclone will kill fertile land long after the flooding has subsided. 

But there is a more hopeful story to be told. This week Zitamar visited some of the worst affected parts of Quelimane city and the surrounding areas. Less than two weeks after Freddy laid waste to the mud huts of Incidua, on the outskirts of Quelimane, much has already been rebuilt by the people themselves, still industrious and resilient despite the recent trials.

Some reassurance may be found in the fact that the death toll was not as terrible as it could have been. Lessons have been learnt since Idai in 2019. Accurate forecasting and an effective early warning system, both of which were lacking four years ago, saved countless lives.

This is the conclusion of Myrta Kaulard, the UN resident humanitarian coordinator in Mozambique, who sat down with Zitamar in Quelimane. “What is very interesting to observe is the determination, speed and success with which Mozambique is progressing in its preparedness. It is very positive to see a country making climate resilience a very clear and determined political priority,” she said.

Of course, there is still much more the government can do, particularly to help those whose lives have been devastated. But perhaps this experience will show that even in Freddy’s vicious clouds, a silver lining can be found. 

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Agenda:

• Today: First of two days of the Frelimo Central Committee meeting, to be held at the party's central school in Matola.

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Today’s headlines:

• MSF says Cabo Delgado far from stabilised

• Xinavane sugar factory suspends sugar exports

• Government pressures Cyclone Freddy victims to leave schools

• 19 dead from alleged food poisoning in Zambézia and Sofala

• Protesters in KaTembe block EN1 demanding a bus stop close to their homes

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News