Amid muddy ground, submerged streets, and damages, residents and merchants of São Vicente island, Cape Verde, expressed surprise and distress after rains during the early hours caused at least seven deaths and left several people missing.
“It was unpredictable. They called me around 3 a.m. (5 a.m. Lisbon time) to come to Praça Estrela [in downtown Mindelo] to see my car that could be swept away into the sea. There was thunder and heavy rain, and I didn’t come immediately because it was risky,” said Amadeu Rocha, 61, a resident and merchant in Mindelo, to Lusa.
An hour later, Amadeu managed to reach the site, but his heavy vehicle had already been carried away by the waters, ending up in the sea about 200 meters from Praça Estrela, the city’s historic center and one of the most affected areas.
“A friend and the authorities helped me recover it,” he added.
Even though recovered, the vehicle’s engine, windshield, and seats were destroyed.
In addition, car and bicycle engines he sold daily were also swept away by the sea.
He managed to save some but estimates a loss of about one million escudos (9,069 euros).
“The damage is huge. It’s the car I used every day to sell. Since dawn I have been here, I don’t even know how my house is. The merchandise stays in the car and I can’t take it home because it’s heavy,” he said, asking for government support.
“At least seven vehicles ended up in the sea. Everything was lost. I don’t know when I’ll forget this,” he added tearfully.
Alcir Lima, 70, who has lived 64 years in Praça Estrela, described the “early morning as unprecedented.”
“I went to bed normally, it started raining, then a lot of thunder, and water began entering my house, rising up to 1.20 meters. With help from the guys, I removed the mud, but there’s still a lot of mud on the streets. In the morning, there were seven cars in the square. It’s the first time I see something like this on the island,” he said.
In the same area, at Mindelo’s main market where nearly 200 vendors worked, destruction was widespread.
Manuel Ramos, 62, who sold mobile phones and other electronics, “lost everything.”
“The loss exceeds one million escudos (9,069 euros),” he lamented.
For Patrícia Almeida, 31, the feeling is sadness, although her family is safe.
“Our island is destroyed. It’s the first time I’ve seen such rain. My condolences to the victims’ families. I hope authorities help those most in need, with houses, clothes, everything necessary,” she said.
António Martins, 64, a resident, said that rain on the island was usually normal.
“I have never seen such a strong lightning strike; I feel very sad because many people are homeless, merchants who live here, all are affected. But we are helping each other to clean up the water. Something has to be done. We are scared because more rain is forecast,” he added.
Taxi driver Balduíno Gomes, 49, said there are few taxis circulating and some colleagues are using open-bed vans to transport people.
“I have never seen anything like this,” he summed up.
The storm’s impact was also felt at Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia city, where travelers to São Vicente showed concern and sadness.
Fátima Pires, 50, was urgently returning: “I left my 20-year-old son alone at home on Sunday and now I have to come back. I spent hours at the airport waiting for a spot because the flights were full.”
Benito Lopes, 46, was also trying to return to the island.
“A neighbor lost a seven-year-old child. People need psychological and material support to stabilize their lives,” he said.
At least seven people died in São Vicente due to the intense rains that fell overnight, with people still missing and damage reported to roads, homes, and vehicles.
The Cape Verdean government declared a state of calamity on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão and two days of national mourning.
The Portuguese government has expressed “deep sorrow for the storm victims,” offering “condolences to the families, the brotherly Cape Verdean people, and the authorities, expressing all forms of solidarity.”
Source: Lusa
