The World Meteorological Group says it’s possible that Cyclone Freddy, which began in February, is the longest-ever in recorded historical past.

The loss of life toll in southeast Africa because of the exceptionally long-lasting Tropical Cyclone Freddy has risen to 522, in accordance with authorities in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar.

Catastrophe administration authorities in Malawi, which has been hit the toughest by the cyclone, reported on Saturday that the loss of life toll there had risen to 438. Malawi’s president, Lazarus Chakwera, declared a 14-day nationwide mourning interval on Thursday.

There are a whole lot of evacuation centres arrange throughout the nation for survivors with tens of 1000’s in Malawi left homeless and roughly 345,000 folks affected by the heavy rains, floods and landslides.

The cyclone left a path of devastation in southeast Africa. Neighbouring Mozambique and the island nation of Madagascar have additionally been affected.

In Mozambique, not less than 67 folks died, in accordance with President Filipe Nyusi, with 50,000 extra displaced.

It’s anticipated that the loss of life toll in each nations will proceed to climb. No less than 17 folks had been killed within the island nation of Madagascar.

Cyclone Freddy dissipated over land late Wednesday after it made a second landfall in Mozambique after which Malawi over the weekend and triggered mass devastation in a number of areas, together with Malawi’s monetary capital, Blantyre.

Reporting from Makanga, an island in Malawi, Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller stated that whereas rescue providers had been persevering with, they’ve been sluggish to move folks from flooded islands to the mainland.

“To this point, they [the police services] have reached about 1,300 folks, however a whole lot extra are ready. They’ve needed to search refuge in bushes. Their houses have been washed away they usually additionally don’t have any meals,” stated Miller.

“It would actually be not less than a number of extra days earlier than a much bigger dent is made by way of rescuing folks in locations like this, which have been very tough to succeed in up till now,” she added.

Freddy first made landfall on February 21 in Madagascar. From there, the storm moved on to Mozambique after which again throughout the Indian Ocean. On March 11, it reached Mozambique for the second time after which moved on to Malawi.

“Quite a lot of areas are inaccessible, limiting motion of evaluation and humanitarian groups and life-saving provides,” stated Paul Turnbull, the World Meals Program’s director in Malawi. “The true extent of the harm will solely be revealed as soon as assessments have been concluded.”

Each nations had been already dealing with a cholera outbreak earlier than the cyclone hit and there are fears that the flooding might worsen the unfold of water-borne illnesses. Mozambique was additionally coping with Freddy’s first battering and floods earlier within the 12 months.

Scientists say human-caused local weather change has worsened cyclone exercise, making them wetter, extra intense and extra frequent.

Cyclone Freddy has ravaged southern Africa since late February when it pummeled Mozambique, Madagascar and Réunion. It then looped again on to the mainland after regaining energy over the Mozambique Channel.

The World Meteorological Group has convened an skilled panel to find out whether or not Cyclone Freddy has damaged the report for the longest-ever cyclone in recorded historical past.

Southern Africa is at present in cyclone season, which may convey rain and extreme storms till March or April.