Maputo — The known death toll from cyclone Jokwe, which struck the northern Mozambican province of Nampula on Saturday, now stands at six, according to the government's relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGC).

Speaking at a Maputo press conference on Monday, the INGC deputy general director, Joao Ribeiro, said that four people had died in Mogincual district, one in Angoche, and one in Moma.

The cyclone had also destroyed or damaged about 1,000 homes, six health posts, dozens of classrooms, and several mosques (Islam is the dominant religion along the Nampula coast).

Electricity pylons were knocked down, cutting off the power supply to Angoche and to the former colonial capital, Mozambique Island. The state electricity company, EDM, has managed to restore the normal electricity supply to Mozambique Island, but Angoche town is now dependent on a generator. The cyclone put 75 per cent of the transmission lines in Angoche district out of action.

In Mogincual the cyclonic winds also damaged two cashew processing factories, and a bridge over the Mogincual river was swept away In Mossuril district, the roof was blown off the local prison, and the 11 solar panels that provide electricity to the Mossuril health centre were destroyed.

The cyclone has moved southwards, and out to sea again. Thus it did not score a direct hit on Zambezia province. In Pebane, the Zambezia district bordering on Nampula, nine homes were destroyed, and a school dormitory lost its roof.

"There are no more strong winds, but it's raining throughout Zambezia", said Ribeiro.

Overnight, the cyclone turned eastwards, and by the middle of Monday morning the centre of the storm was in the middle of the Mozambique Channel, about half way between Mozambique and Madagascar. On its current course, Jokwe will continue moving south down the Mozambique Channel. It is a serious threat to shipping, but it seems unlikely that it will hit land again.

The INGC has sent a helicopter to overfly the cyclone-affected districts of Nampula, to obtain a better assessment of the damage. Ribeiro said the INGC has also been mobilizing food stored in warehouses in the port of Nacala to assist those made homeless by Jokwe. Tents and kitchen utensils are also being provided.

The government has activated the National Civil Protection Unit (UNAPROC) to remove fallen trees and electricity pylons that are currently blocking roads, and to help people start rebuilding their homes.