Nampula: more than 200 families displaced by cyclone Dikeledi in Nacala.

 

The district of Nacala-Porto was severely affected by tropical cyclone DIKELEDI, which, in the early hours of January 13th this year, brought light rain and strong winds, turning the port city of railwayport into a devastated area. Several houses and government institutions were destroyed, with more than 200 houses collapsing, although no human casualties were reported.

On the morning of this Tuesday, after the strong winds and light rains subsided, our editorial team visited several neighborhoods and areas of the city, including Triângulo, Mocone, Ontupaia, Ribáué, and Mathapue, where we encountered an alarming situation.

Some of our interviewees shared their experiences of the cyclone Dikeledi.

"We were informed by radio and television that there would be some rain accompanied by strong winds. We did our best to prepare. Here in Ribáué, the situation is a little better as the zinc sheets were lifted, and only a few houses were destroyed. But down in the Mucuaipa area, it was worse; many houses were destroyed, but no one was injured. For that, we thank God," said Dona Helena Francisco Anlaue.

During the visit to the neighborhoods, we met Mr. Faustino, who was displaced with his family of nine members. He also saw his house collapse due to the storm on January 13 but did not wish to comment for the press.

"Amisse Ramadane from Triângulo neighborhood said, 'Yesterday was a very critical day. If today my family and I are alive, it's pure luck. There was a lot of wind and rain. My house, which was already precarious, was flooded with water coming from the upper side. I tried to protect it, but it was impossible. I had to move some things into the neighbor’s house. Right now, we ask the government to help us with whatever little is possible.'"

When we contacted the leaders of blocks 39 and 40 in the Triângulo neighborhood, they stated that they had no authority to speak and had not conducted a house-to-house survey of displaced families due to fears of public backlash. In previous years, after conducting surveys of destroyed homes, the government did not provide any assistance.

It should be noted that the severe storm Dikeledi, which struck the early hours of January 13 in the Nacala-Porto district, displaced more than 200 families, destroying houses, some schools, and the boundary wall of the Nacala railway field. (Gabriel Cassimo)