The death toll from floods on Cape Verde’s island of Sao Vicente has climbed to nine after a powerful storm struck the archipelago earlier this week, local authorities said on Friday.
The government has declared two days of national mourning and a six-month state of emergency on three islands most affected by Monday night’s disaster. Homes, bridges and roads were destroyed, with entire neighborhoods submerged under floodwaters.
The National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics warned that heavy rains could hit again from Saturday, driven by a tropical wave expected to intensify overnight on August 17. The southern islands of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava are forecast to see the heaviest downpours, along with thunderstorms and strong winds spreading later across the country.
Among the victims was a 79-year-old man whose body was found Wednesday after being reported missing. Two others remain unaccounted for. Authorities say recovery and relief efforts are continuing, with several countries offering support. A Portuguese navy vessel docked on Friday carrying humanitarian supplies.
The disaster underscores Cape Verde’s exposure to extreme weather events, which officials warn are becoming more frequent and destructive.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
