Malawi, Mozambique: Recovery efforts ongoing in Malawi and northern Mozambique as of Jan. 25 following the passage of Tropical Storm Ana

Recovery efforts ongoing in Malawi and Mozambique Jan. 25 following the passage of Tropical Storm Ana. Power outages and damages reported.

Event

Recovery efforts are ongoing in Malawi and northern Mozambique following the passage of Tropical Storm Ana as of Jan. 25. Ana made landfall in Mozambique's Nampula province as a moderate tropical storm Jan. 24, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds as it tracked westwards across northern Mozambique and southern Malawi before dissipating Jan. 25. The remnants of the storm system are forecast to bring further heavy rainfall to southern Malawai and central and northern Mozambique through at least Jan. 26.

In northern Mozambique, structural damage has been reported in Memba, Mogovolas, Moma, Larde, and Liupo districts of Nampula province following the storm's passage. Two fatalities and 49 injuries have been reported in Zambezia province as of Jan. 25. In Nacala, 750 families have been left without electricity, and 15 houses collapsed due to the heavy rainfall and strong winds brought by Ana. Many roads across northern Mozambique have been made impassable by floodwaters, and authorities estimate that around 600,000 people have been affected by the storm across Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zembezia provinces. As of Jan. 25, the National Institute of Meteorology is maintaining Red level tropical depression warnings (the highest level on a four-tier scale) for Manica, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia provinces and yellow warnings for Nampula and Inhambane provinces due to further heavy rainfall and strong winds forecast in the coming hours and days as the remnants of the storm system continue to affect the region.

Heavy downpours associated with the storm system have affected Malawi since Jan. 23. Power outages have been reported across the country after an emergency shutdown at a power station in Neno due to an accumulation of debris following the sustained rainfall. All schools have been temporarily suspended in the Southern Region, and damage assessments are ongoing in the hardest-hit southern districts, including Chikwawa, Mulanje, Thyolo, Blantyre, and Chiradzulu. There have been reports of damage and injuries occurring, but few details have been confirmed. Evacuations have been carried out in Tsapa in Chikwawa District, and a section of the M1 highway in the district between Thabwa and Dyeratu is impassable due to flooding. The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has updated their warning for the storm advising that further heavy rainfall is likely over southern Malawi through at least Jan. 26, with Mulanje, Thyolo, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Balaka, Machinga, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba, Mangochi, Mwanza, Neno and Ntcheu districts the most likely to be impacted. Over 10 cm (4 inches) of rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours, which could lead to flooding and landslides.

Protracted transport and business disruptions are almost certain across affected areas as responders continue their efforts; utility disruptions are likely over the coming days and weeks. Shortages of fuel and other basic goods are possible. Driving conditions may be difficult on rural routes and regional highways.

Advice

Monitor local media for updates and advisories on weather conditions. Make allowances for possible supply chain disruptions in affected areas. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur.

Use extreme caution in low-lying areas and near streams, creeks, and other waterways due to the potential for flooding. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred. Confirm flights before checking out of hotels or driving to the airport; clearing passenger backlogs may take several days in some locations.