Tropical Cyclone Idai roared into Beira, Mozambique in the night of 15 March, bringing death and devastation to over a million people. More than a thousand people died, roads were washed away, vital infrastructure destroyed, and tens of thousands were left homeless and orphaned. Cholera, always present in this region, killed some, but the local medical services, with admirable help from the World Health Organization, managed to keep it at bay.

Idai, before its last suicide dash towards Zimbabwe, made several incursions into northern and central Mozambique, causing flooding and damaging crops. It is already being tagged as the most devastating cyclones ever to occur in this region.

Now a new cyclone is on the way. Kenneth formed off the tip of Madagascar, heading straight for the the northern Cabo Delgado province. At noon on 25 April, 140 mph winds were recorded, and up to 30 inches of rain was forecast.

The effects inland will be severe, even though the area is thinly populated. Crops of subsistence farmers, almost ready to be harvested, are likely to suffer severely. Deforested land will be eroded further. The effects are likely to be felt into Malawi and Zimbabwe, both of whom had already suffered greatly under Idai.
 
With the destruction of their crops, many survivors are likely to flood into towns and cities, while waiting for the next planting season in September, and the hoped-for harvest in April 2020. In the meantime they are in the hands of donors. And in the cities and towns of the centre and north, rebels and recruiters of local and international movements have been reported. Islamist groups are active here.

Idai has seen heroic rescues. More than 4,000 cases of cholera were recorded, but effective treatment and solid international support saw fatalities limited to eight. Several other diseases struck, and malaria prevention is one of the primary tasks. Cyclone Kenneth will not make the relief efforts any easier. Groups such as the Rotaries, the South African NGO Gift of the Givers, and the United Nations have done fantastic work, but the long term efforts are going to be what counts.
 
And for those doubting the effects of climate change, the swarm of cyclones in this area is unprecedented since records began.