This caused severe flooding and damage to infrastructure, resulting in many people being left without homes or power.

The Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology reported that the tropical storm made its landfall in the district of Mossuril in Nampula province early in the morning.

Residents in Nacala, a city in the province, were surprised by the storm’s intensity.

“This rain doesn’t stop, it started around 1am and they say it will continue for 24 hours, with non-stop wind and thunder,” stated Nacala resident Isabel Namoro.

“The walls and gates in our backyard have collapsed. We can’t go to the market because of the water. We’re really suffering.”

The situation in the region is already fragile and humanitarian response capacities have been stretched thin after two recent cyclones, in December and January.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) described the situation as “very bad” and highlighted that children are particularly vulnerable.

Flooding increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and malaria. The UN stated that Nampula has the highest number of children out of all provinces in Mozambique.

“Since yesterday, it has been raining in Nacala. Children can’t go to school and have no way to buy bread or other necessities,” stated resident Sheila.

“There is a lot of wind, houses and zinc sheets are falling down. In this area, five houses have collapsed. Our neighbors are crying, they are suffering.”

UNICEF has been assisting the government in distributing emergency aid kits and other forms of assistance to those affected.