Regional Flood / Cyclone Update for Southern Africa
11 February 2009
Metrological & Hydrological Overview
With two months to go before the end of the rainy season, heavy rainfall has caused localised flooding in Mozambique,
Namibia and Zambia. Meteorologists caution that above-normal rainfall will continue up to March 2009 over most of the
countries in the region and includes, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, most
of Namibia much of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In Madagascar, Tropical Cyclone ‘Gael’, which developed in the southern Indian Ocean on 4 February 2009, has lost
intensity to become a tropical storm. ‘Gael’ brushed past the northeastern coast of Madagascar before returning over
water. Tropical storm ‘Gael’ did not affect land masses. Recent assessment figures indicate that Tropical ‘Eric’ and
Tropical Cyclone ‘Fanele’ left 12 people dead; 33 injured and affecting 54,493 people. Of this number 4,012 people are
homeless and 2,965 hectare of flooded rice paddies were washed away. Tropical storm Eric impacted the district of
Mandritsara the most; while cyclone Fanele took the heaviest toll on the districts of Morondava, Manja and Beroroha, as
well as the municipality of Belo sur Mer. The National Disaster Management Authority (BNGRC) is continuing the
distribution of relief items in region Menabe.
In Mozambique, heavy rainfall caused flooding in Maputo province (Matola, Mahcava and Infulene) affecting nearly
3,000 people, of which more than 100 people are displaced and are being accommodated in temporary shelters. The
Civil Protection Unit is responding to the needs. The latest hydrological bulletin (4/02/09) from the National Water
Directorate (DNA) indicates that the Zambezi and the Limpopo rivers are approaching above alert threshold levels of 6m.
Both in Caia and Marromeu (Zambezi), and Combumune (Limpopo) water levels recorded are 5.63m, which is 23
centimetres short of flood alert level at the Combumune measuring station.
The Pungue River, which originates in Zimbabwe and flows through Mozambique, has slightly decreased to 5.40m (alert
threshold 6m) compared to 6.4m as of 30 January 2009. The National Disaster Management Institute has issued an
orange alert and is closely monitoring the situation. The Cahora Bassa Dam is discharging water into the Zambezi River at
1800m3 cubic meters per second to prevent flooding. Other river basins of the country are below warning, despite the
possibility of heavy rains in the basins of Umbeluzi and Incomati. Areas that need close monitoring are Caia, Mutarara
and Mafambisse and Mocuba districts. Continued rain in the countries upstream (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe)
may cause flooding at any time in Mozambique.
In Namibia, heavy rains occurred in the southern Caprivi region resulting in flooding to Lake Liambezi- an area primarily
used for agriculture - submerging crops and raising food security concerns. Localized heavy rainfall has also been
recorded in and around the Caprivi region causing a rise in the Zambezi River. Hydrometric levels along the Zambezi
River at Katima Mulilo swelled to 2.8 cubic metres which is above the normal level of 1.5 metres. The majority of people
living along the floodplains have moved to higher ground ahead of possible flooding. Weather forecast indicates that
additional heavy rain is expected. Flooding is only anticipated should Zambia and Angola experience heavy rains which
cause the Zambezi River to reach above alert level and may result in flooding downstream affecting the Cuvelai system
(Oshana region) and the Caprivi region.
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In Zambia, most parts of the country have received above-normal rainfall. As of 20 January 2009 there was an increase
in rainfall over southwestern parts of Western province. There are few reports of flooding in the traditional flood prone
areas of North Western province and some areas of Kabwe in Central province. According to a report by the DMMU
regional office in Ndola, the floods had not affected any populations. Flash floods were also reported in Lusaka, Eastern
and Central provinces. Significant amounts of rainfall were also recorded over Sinazeze, Siachitema (Siavonga district),
Munyumbwe, Maamba and Lusitu. A reduction in rainfall has been recorded over the northern half of Zambia where
most stations recorded rainfall below their ten-day normal. Mwinillunga in north western province recorded the lowest
rainfall of 29mm. For the most part, the additional rainfall was positive for the crop growing season.
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