11 dead and 16 missing in Malawi as Cyclone Freddy takes hold

Eleven people are dead and sixteen are missing in Malawi after Cyclone Freddy struck the country.

Cyclone Freddy, a category 2 cyclone, hit the southern African nation on Monday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that caused flooding and mudslides in parts of the country.

The Malawi government said in a statement that the cyclone had caused “unprecedented destruction and deaths”. The statement said 11 people had been killed and 16 were missing as a result of the storm.

The statement also said that the cyclone had caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges and buildings. Power and communications systems were also affected.

The government said it was working with aid agencies to provide assistance to those affected.

The cyclone is expected to move through Mozambique and Zimbabwe in the coming days, where it is expected to cause more destruction and disruption.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has urged people to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from the cyclone. The organization has also called on the international community to provide assistance to those affected by the storm.

The government of Malawi has declared a state of emergency in the areas affected by the storm and has mobilized resources for the relief effort.

The death toll from Cyclone Freddy is expected to rise as search and rescue teams continue their work.