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Mozambique

Flash Update #1: Tropical depression affects Mozambique | 18 January 2018

Attachments

Highlights

• Heavy rains are impacting the northern parts of Mozambique.

• More than 22,000 people have been affected by heavy rainfall in Nampula province.

• Very strong rains, temporarily accompanied by severe thunderstorms and winds, are expected to continue.

Situation

A low-pressure system in Mozambique channel evolved on 16 January to tropical depression stage and is resulting in heavy rains in the northern parts of the country. As of 17 January, more than 22,100 people have already been affected by heavy rains in Nampula province. One death has been reported. Mozambique Island, Mossuril, Nacaroa district are without electricity. Several schools and health facilities, and nearly 4,300 houses have been damaged in the districts of Mossuril, Monapo, Mozambique Island and Meconta, according to local authorities and humanitarian partners. At least three road sections in Monapo, Mossuril and Meconta distriscts are impassable. In Mozambique island, 250 people are isolated in Sangane community.

Niassa and Cabo Delgado provinces will be recording heavy rainfall due to the low pressure system formed in Mozambique channel. Four river basins, Licungo (in Gurué station), Meluli, Messalo and Megaruma, are above alert level. In addition, increased risks of urban floods in the city of Pemba as well as soil erosion in the cities of Nampula, Nacala, Cuamba and Pemba are expected. The Nampula dam, which was facing serious water scarcity in the past months, is now completely full.

According to the National Meteorological Services, strong rains, temporarily accompanied by severe thunderstorms and winds with gusts up to 60 km per hour, will continue until 19 January which might affect the provinces of Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Zambézia and Niassa. The Central Emergency Operative Center estimates that 409 villages with a total population of 447,500 are at risk of being affected in Nampula province.

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