A pilot of a humanitarian aviation organization who is supplying food and water to victims of Cyclone Idai has recounted what he has seen, Lowvelder reports.

This after a joint survey  between Mercy Air based in White River and MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship).

Photos supplied by MAF.

MAF used a Cessna Caravan (fixed-wing aircraft) and Mercy Air used their helicopter to survey the destruction. As of Monday, Mercy Air was still the only helicopter operating in the area.

On March 14, Cyclone Idai made landfall at the city of Beira in Mozambique bringing high winds and torrential rain into an area that was already struggling with flooding.

The storm knocked out communications in Beira as well as damaging roadways and access points hindering response efforts.

Photos supplied by MAF.

MAF pilot Rick Emenaker said on March 18 they conducted an aerial survey flight along the road from Beira towards Chimoioand then south to the Buzi River.

The survey revealed significant damage to the EN6 roadway, with entire sections washed out by flood water, other areas still under water and bridges damaged or gone.

Photo supplied by MAF

“It was a heartbreaking flight today as we flew over many miles of flooded land in the Buzi River basin. We saw many people stranded on rooftops surrounded by kilometres of water. It was difficult to comprehend and think about that probably many have perished.”

The flight continued south into the Buzi river basin, an area where no information was yet known. This area has deep and widespread flooding – entire buildings under water.

“A number of villages were completely buried in the flood waters. The magnitude of this disaster is hard to comprehend and we are glad we are able to be here to help. Please keep the people of Mozambique in your  prayers as they struggle with this difficult situation that has no short term end in sight.”