About 15,000 people are still trapped by the flood in what one could regard as the most devastating Cyclone in Mozambique. The victims, who are in the Beira area of the country, are clinging to roofs and trees to stay alive.

A satellite image released by the European Space Agency showing images of the Mozambican port city of Beira has revealed the vast scale of flooding. The rescuers are racing to reach tens of thousands of people trapped by flood waters from the Cyclone Idai.

A week after, a huge number of people in and around Beira are still waiting for rescue. The powerful cyclone swept into the city last Thursday, 14th March 2019, with winds of more than 177km/h (106 mph).

It has left a trail of devastation as it moved inland. Rescue teams are looking to deliver food and other supplies to people on the ground rather than take people out of affected areas. However, rescue operations are still ongoing.

Fighting the clock

About 300 people are already confirmed dead in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, but the toll may rise. Mozambique’s environment minister, Celso Correia, said it was their biggest fight against the clock. They are trying to use any means possible to save lives. About 3,000 people had been rescued so far, with 15,000 more deemed very ill.

Take a look at a satellite view of Tropical Storm Idai near Beira, Mozambique and Madagascar, as captured by Caturrito TV.

About 98 people are already confirmed dead in Zimbabwe and 56 in Malawi as a result of the cyclone. However, the latest death toll in Mozambique is 217. This number is likely to rise much further as rescuers continue to find bodies.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded more than 150 square miles flooded, with at least 600,000 people affected. The affected area is one of the most densely populated in Mozambique. Rescuers are still unsure about the number of people still trapped.