In Zimbabwe, a state of emergency has been declared in affected areas after homes and bridges were washed away by the floodwaters.
JUST IN: President Mnangagwa has cut short his visit to the UAE and is heading home to attend to #CycloneIdai challenges pic.twitter.com/KvAfSzfxwv
— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) March 17, 2019
A further 71 people are said to be missing and the death toll is expected to rise when the full scale of the damage becomes clear as the floodwaters subside.
The BBC’s Nomsa Maseko says the devastation caused by the cyclone has affected thousands of people and shocked Zimbabweans.
#CycloneIdai A teacher from Charles Lwanga Mission School in Chimanimani now admitted at Chipinge hospital narrates their heart-rending ordeal after Cyclone Idai struck at the school pic.twitter.com/toKK5IzBze
— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) March 18, 2019
The Charles Lwanga Secondary School in the mountainous district of Chimanimani has been closed and the army has been deployed to evacuate the 200 trapped pupils, according to the Department of Civil Protection.
Cyclone: At St Charles Lwanga school – Two injured students and two deceased have been ferried to Chipinge hospital and mortuary respectively. One of the deceased is a student and another a security guard. pic.twitter.com/Be0zMwRi5X
— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) March 17, 2019
#CycloneIdai A Form One Charles Lwanga student admitted at Chipinge hospital narrates events of the fateful day when Cyclone Idai struck pic.twitter.com/5gIvKNYRFf
— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) March 18, 2019
More than 100 houses have been damaged in the town of Chimanimani, which was cut off on Saturday, according to Zimbabwe’s information ministry.
Destruction being caused by Cyclone Idai is heart breaking, our thoughts are with the injured & those losing their lives in this disaster. Though we have no control as nature takes its course, we pray for swift assistance to all in affected areas.#AMothersLove#HelpZim pic.twitter.com/ZeuPObgjQf
— Women In Tourism Zimbabwe (@WITZim) March 16, 2019
JUST IN: Marovanyathi Dam in Buhera is now spilling due to the heavy rains and houses in the vicinity have been destroyed. Rescue teams have been called in for assistance. The families are said to have ignored calls to relocate from the area during the construction of the dam. pic.twitter.com/LjSzPTMZBw
— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) March 18, 2019