15 Mar 2019 | 09:49 AM UTC
Mozambique: Significant disruptions following passage of cyclone Idai in Sofala province March 14 /update 3
Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall in Sofala province on March 14 with very strong winds, storm surge, and heavy rains; flooding, power outages, and transportation disruptions reported
Event
Tropical Cyclone Idai, the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall near the town of Beira located in the Sofala province (central Mozambique) on the evening (local time) of Thursday, March 14. Heavy rainfall and wind gusts up to 220 kph (150 mph) were reported. Significant damages to infrastructures as well as power cuts are also being reported. Several flights to and from Beira have been canceled as of Friday, March 15, due to the storm. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, however, casualties are likely. Details are still emerging.
Further rainfall and strong winds are forecast for Sofala, Niassa, Cabo Delgado, Zambezia, and Nampula province through Sunday, March 17. The storm is also expected to bring tropical cyclone conditions to part of Zimbabwe.
Flooding, power and telecommunication disruptions, transportation disruptions, including road closures and infrastructure damage, are to be anticipated throughout the affected areas in the coming hours and days.
Context
Tropical Cyclone Idai, brought heavy rain and consequent flooding to Mozambique's central and northern regions and Malawi's Southern region in the past week, resulting in the deaths of at least 56 people in Malawi and 66 people in Mozambique as of Wednesday, March 13. The flooding has also left hundreds more injured in both countries; in total, approximately 739,000 people have been affected by the flooding in Malawi and 141,000 others in Mozambique, with most forced to seek emergency shelter after their homes sustained flood damage.
Advice
Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate flooding and associated transportation disruptions, including road closures, and remember that walking or driving through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of moving water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
