Deadly Storm Freddy Smashes Records, Leaves Hundreds Dead Across Africa
Record-Breaking Monster Storm
The relentless storm Freddy has battered Africa for a whole month, already breaking one record and threatening to smash two more. Experts blame climate change for warmer oceans, which pump extra heat into storm systems, making them stronger and deadlier.
Death Toll Soars in Malawi and Mozambique
Official figures show at least 190 killed in Malawi, with hundreds more injured or missing. Mozambique has recorded 20 deaths. In Malawi’s second-largest city, Blantyre, mudslides caused by torrential rain wiped out thousands of homes and sent huge ravines through roads. Locals are forced to navigate treacherous makeshift bridges amid ongoing downpours.
Thousands Displaced, Emergency Aid Needed
The devastation is still unfolding. Search and rescue teams are working round the clock. Around 60,000 people have been affected, including 19,000 left homeless, according to the Malawi government. Humanitarian groups warn urgent aid is essential, with many lacking basic needs like food, water, and shelter.
Unprecedented Route Across the Indian Ocean
What sets Freddy apart? Its bizarre 8,000km path. The cyclone formed off Australia’s coast, crossed the entire south Indian Ocean, then slammed into Madagascar and Mozambique in late February. It doubled back to hit Mozambique again two weeks later before pushing inland to Malawi. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says no other storm in this region has followed such a route in 20 years — the last was in 2000.
