Tropical Storm Freddy, which hit parts of southern African countries in recent days, led to the death of 14 people in Mozambique and Madagascar with river levels expected to continue to rise.
According to the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of people affected by the cyclone rose to a total of 389 300 with 226 000 in Madagascar and more than 163 300 in Mozambique.
“Tropical Storm Freddy made landfall in Vilankulo district, Inhambane province, of Mozambique on 24 February, where it has led to significant rainfall, with river levels expected to continue rising,” OCHA said this week.
“Between 23 and 27 February, Dondo (Sofala Province) and Vilankulo (Inhambane Province) both received more than 500 millimetres (mm) of rainfall, while Massinga (Inhambane Province) and Beira (Sofala Province) both received more than 300mm.
“A further 300mm of rain are expected in Inhambane Province this week, according to Mozambican authorities, and the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) indicates the potential for unprecedented flooding on the Changane River, particularly between Chibuto town and Xai-Xai in Gaza Province. In Zimbabwe, on the other hand, while flooding is still possible in south-eastern Zimbabwe, severe flooding is now unlikely, as Freddy did not extend as far inland as previously forecasted.”
According to OCHA, in Mozambique, more than 163 300 people had been affected by rainfall and flooding generated by Tropical Storm Freddy across southern and central Mozambique by 28 February, including 9 268 people who were taking shelter in 26 accommodation centres across Inhambane,
Gaza, and Sofala, according to Government authorities.
“Over 27 811 houses were destroyed or damaged, including 13 760 partially destroyed, 1 621 totally destroyed and 12 430 flooded houses. Damage to public infrastructure and services has also been reported, with 408 classrooms destroyed, affecting nearly 20,700 pupils. Some 685 km of road has been damaged, while nearly 26 800 hectares of crops were affected.”
In Madagascar, at least 226,000 people were affected by Freddy’s passage, of whom an estimated 148,000 are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the findings of a multi-sectoral assessment carried out by the government and humanitarian partners.
The number of people displaced has increased to 37 700, and more than 28 800 houses have been destroyed or damaged. Following the cyclone’s passage, more than 1 600 classrooms have been destroyed or damaged – including 670 destroyed, 318 partially destroyed and 654 left roofless-, leaving more than 70 200 students out of school.
Some 16 community health centres and 2 hospitals were partially damaged, most of them in Vatovavy region, according to government authorities.
