Cyclone Idai death toll climbs to 268 in Zimbabwe
Information minister says death toll expected to rise while Mozambique confirms about 1,000 cases of cholera
Harare — Zimbabwe on Tuesday launched an official international and domestic appeal for disaster relief aid as the death toll from Cyclone Idai reached 268. The storm, one of southern Africa's worst weather disasters in decades, pounded Mozambique’s port city of Beira before moving inland to Zimbabwe and Malawi, killing about 1,000 people across the three countries. The tourist town of Chimanimani was hardest hit in Zimbabwe. Entire villages were submerged and schools, clinics and bridges were destroyed. In a further blow to Zimbabwe’s struggling economy, business in the area, including tourist resorts and coffee, timber and banana plantations, were also razed. Briefing journalists after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the death toll was expected to rise further. “It is saddening that the death toll has increased to 268 and is still expected to rise as the search efforts continue. “Cabinet approved the launch of a formal appeal for domestic ...
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