ex-Cyclone Dineo: The aftermath in Mozambique

Dineo's glory was short-lived, but the destruction that was caused by it will take months, if not years to repair

February 21, 2017

Jonothan Hen-Boisen 3 minutes read

MOZAMBIQUE – Dineo took the lives of 7 people, destroyed more than 20 000 homes and caused millions in damage in its wake. A pod of dolphins also lost 8 of their members,including two babies, when they beached in Inhassoro last week. Due to the extent of the damage, many businesses, lodges and restaurants have closed their doors to the public, some after many years in the business. Members of the public and businesses who were not affected are lending aid to those in need in order for the road to recovery to commence.

Here are a few of the places that were affected in Mozambique:

Linga-Linga Paradise Lodge

“Cyclone DINEO destroyed Linga Linga Paradise Lodge. Once again a clear result how not to build in a High Risk Cyclone zone. Sticks and Grass not an option other than being cheap.”
Carlos Carvalho

Tofo Scuba

“We all survived the devastaing Cyclone Dineo! All staff and customers are safe and well and we were very lucky at Tofo Scuba – some structural damage but nothing in comparason to other businesses here. Many of the staff have lost their homes but everyone is in good spirits and just happy to be safe. After a massive clean up today the dive shop is looking a lot less battered and we plan to pick up our boats and be back on the water by Monday. On a positive note – the sea is looking amazing and flat now so lets get in the water as soon as possible!”
Tofo Scuba

Hotel Casa Do Capitao

“The situation is bad… the material damage and human will be huge… the plates of the hotel already raised.”
Laison Daniel

Bonito Bay Lodge

“Fortunately my staff are good builders… most of the infrastructure at Bonito Bay is still intact… wish I could say the same for the trees. We suffered some damage but it could have been a lot worse… weeks of cleaning up lie ahead… roads are blocked, water tower was blown over. Thanks to the guys who stuck it out and helped prepare for what was to come…”
Russell Edmunds

Sia Senta (Barra, Inhambane)

“To all the readers, this is a short story about a tragedy that no person knows about, hears about or cares about. A tragedy about a forgotten society of poor fishermen that has lost everything. Cyclone Dineo has effectively destroyed most of the fleet of dhows of Inhambane. These people have been the backbone of this region for hundreds of years with their dhows that has been a trademark of Inhambane.

Logos, wood carvings, paintings and drawings will be the only remembrance of this independent community that ask so little and yet fulfill such a roll of supplying food and income to a large part of the local population. They are in the background, forgotten by the politicians and limelight of the popular news industry. Just a menace to the sport fisherman and sports divers. We don’t know the impact to the local community in food security and job security. This is s plea to assist to help these people to repair/ replace these dhows to ensure some future for these people.”
Susan Woest Strydom

Paindane Beach Resort (Mozambique)

“This is absolutely heart wrenching to see! This will definitely not be the end! This is a new beginning for Paindane! Watch this space!”
Paindane Beach Resort

Guinjata Dive Centre

“Guinjata being hit by Cyclone. This is just the outer edge of the storm hitting now. The eye of the Cyclone is predicted to make Land fall at 20:00.”
Richard Bernardo