Powerful cyclone hits southeast Africa

Cyclone Freddy, which has devastated Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar, may be the longest lasting ever on record, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.

Appearing over the Indian Ocean on 6th February, cyclone Freddy finally died down on the 15th March. It made landfall on the southeast Africa coast twice, each time with greater intensity.

The high winds and torrential rain typical of such violent weather events caused severe flooding and led to mudslides. The death toll has already reached 800 people, with hundreds injured and many thousands displaced.

Richard Chimwendo Banda, a minister in the Malawi government, spoke of the crisis after visiting the town of Blantyre.

Richard Chimwendo Banda: "What we are seeing here is a crisis. So far, we are talking of about 122 people that we have confirmed that they have lost their lives. But quite a number of them are missing and this demands that all of use come in and support. People have been displaced, thousands and thousands in all the 10 districts."

The school in Blantyre's been converted into a makeshift evacuation centre. However, aid's been slow to arrive due to perilous conditions and widespread power outages.

The Malawi government's declared a state of disaster in all districts hit hardest and is appealing for international aid. Prior to the cyclone, Malawi had already been experiencing a widespread outbreak of cholera, which it's feared could spread even further due to the extensive flooding.

It may take some months to confirm whether cyclone Freddy was the longest lasting cyclone. However, it's already estimated that it released more energy than the entire hurricane season in North America.

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