Find out why Cyclone Freddy does so much damage

Hurricane Freddy, described as exceptional by the scientific community, caused significant damage as it passed through Africa; See why in this summary of the situation.

• Also read: Hurricane Freddy: 400 dead in Malawi, according to the president

• Also read: Cyclone Freddy: Malawi appeals for international assistance

• Also read: Freddy, an exceptional hurricane hits Africa

Exceptional longevity

The cyclone formed in early February in the Indian Ocean, quietly breaking Hurricane John’s previous record of 31 days.

Loop path

Freddy crossed the Indian Ocean before striking several countries in Africa twice, traveling more than 10,000 km, almost twice the width of Canada.

difficult weather conditions

The tropical cyclone brings strong winds, which have already reached 265 km / h, and heavy rains, which, in turn, lead to floods, landslides, destroying houses and other buildings in its path.

Minting of poor countries

In addition to wreaking havoc by being a hurricane, Freddy causes even more damage because it has affected some of the poorest countries in the world. According to data from Statista, Malawi is the third poorest country in the world, Madagascar is fifth and Mozambique is ninth.

These countries are now threatened with a humanitarian crisis, as many homes have been destroyed and will have to be rebuilt, and the state of health is conducive to the development of disease.

Cholera outbreak

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera was spreading rapidly in early February in this region of Africa, infecting as many people in one month as in all of 2022. Malawi, followed by Mozambique, is the African country most affected by the epidemic.

Cholera causes an acute diarrheal infection resulting from ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae, and therefore the risk of its spread is greater after a climate disaster.

With information from MétéoMedia