The authorities in Mozambique say the death toll from Cyclone Idai in the country’s central region has risen to at least 150, with the figure for those injured surpassing 1000.
The deaths were mainly due to the collapse of homes and other infrastructure and drowning, Mozambican authorities said over the weekend.
The city of Beira, one of the largest in the country with half a million inhabitants, was hit the hardest by the cyclone and at its central hospital received hundreds of people who have been assisted since Thursday night.
The provincial capital is partially destroyed and it is still without electricity from the public grid and communications are limited.
The SANDF said on Sunday that it had been called on to assist in the humanitarian efforts in both Malawi and Mozambique which are currently facing serious floods.
“The SANDF has committed air assets and personnel to supplement joint inter departmental, inter-agency and multi-national efforts as authorised by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
“A team of 10 military health practitioners with search and rescue air assets were dispatched to Malawi on Saturday.
“Front elements were also deployed to Mozambique to assess the situation with the view to assist on the ground for humanitarian purposes,” the SANDF said.