Death toll from Cyclone Idai climbs to 139 in Zimbabwe

People walk through a flooded river in Chimanimani, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, March 17, 2019. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa)

The death toll from Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe has risen to 139 with 189 still missing, The government said Thursday.

The Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services said in a tweet that as of Wednesday, The number of injured people was 144 while 136 are marooned.

About 4,000 people have been displaced, The ministry added.

The cyclone, which hit The country from neighboring Mozambique, mainly affected eastern and souThern parts of Zimbabwe.

Chimanimani in The eastern part of The country has been The worst affected and so far has The highest number of deaths at 127, followed by Chipinge with six deaths.

The cyclone induced landslides and floods that severely damaged infrastructure such as roads and bridges and left thousands of people homeless.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa visited Chimanimani and Chipinge this week to assess The damage and meet with The affected communities.

Meanwhile, donations continue to pour in for victims of The cyclone, with individuals and local firms making contributions while China, The U.S. and The European Union have also made donations.

The government on Monday released 50 million dollars for emergency relief and infrastructure restoration.