Harare-The death toll from the Cyclone Idai which has so far claimed more than 100 lives is expected to rise as hundreds are said to have been washed away into neighbouring Mozambique.

Speaking during a post cabinet meeting in the capital Tuesday, Local Government Minister July Moyo said there were reports that bodies believed to be from Zimbabwe have been seen floating in Mozambique.

Minister Moyo said some locals were being contacted by locals and those in Mozambique informing them of floating bodies.

 “The distress calls started coming from Kopa, in Rusitu where two rivers which converge there burst and we understand there are bodies which are floating.

“Some have floated all the way into Mozambique and some of the peasants in that country were calling some of our people saying that ‘we see bodies, we believe those bodies are coming from Zimbabwe.

“The total number we were told there could be a hundred, some going as far as saying there could be 300 but we cannot confirm this situation. Our army is going on foot to Rusitu in order to go and assess the situation on the ground,” said Moyo.
Moyo said Kopa, Chikukwa, Ngangu and Chimanimani were hardest hit areas and the number is expected to soar.

“The number of casualties has been a fast-moving figure. Most of the casualties come from either collapsed buildings in which some are currently trapped or secondly the mudslides where people are buried. We have not moved enough equipment to do the job of excavating.

“People have resorted to using shovels. That is why it is important for us to move equipment out there. Some have been taken by rivers which swept whole homestead” said Moyo