Southern Africa • Floods and Cyclones Situation Update# 1 25 January 2012

This bulletin was issued by the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA). It covers the period of 15 to 25 January 2012. The timing of the next report will depend on changes in flood conditions.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES • Tropical Cyclone Funso is still in the Mozambique Channel, bringing rainfall to the coasts of Mozambique and Madagascar, but not expected to make landfall. • More than 51,000 have been affected by flooding in southern Mozambique alone, and information is expected shortly on the impact of Tropical Cyclone Funso in central and northern Mozambique. • In southern Malawi, rescue and evacuation operations are underway in flood-affected areas. An estimated 4,000 people are affected. • Flooding has occurred in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in South Africa, affecting hundreds of people; one municipality in Limpopo Province declared a disaster area. • Rainfall is expected to continue over Mozambique and Malawi during the next two weeks, which could worsen flood conditions.

II. Regional Rainfall Situation Overview

As the region enters the most critical phase of the rainfall season, a number of countries are experiencing extensive flooding, specifically Mozambique, South Africa and Malawi. Humanitarian Country Teams are supporting government responses in all affected countries, except South Africa. To date, no reports of significant flooding have been received from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Tropical Cyclone Funso, which formed in the Mozambique Channel on 18 January 2012, continues to bring heavy rainfall to the coasts of Mozambique and Madagascar as it moves in a south-easterly direction. It is currently a category 4 storm, but is not expected to make landfall. The latest trajectory of Funso can be found under the Mozambique section.

According to the adjacent rainfall forecast, rains are expected to continue over the eastern part of the region over the next two weeks, which could worsen flood conditions in Mozambique and southern Malawi. Significant rainfall is also expected over Angola and northern Namibia, as well as northern Madagascar, and these areas should be closely monitored.

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate 1 effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. www.ochaonline.un.org

OCHA Situation Report

III. Madagascar

Although its centre is hundreds of kilometers from the Malagasy coast, Tropical Cyclone Funso is causing heavy rainfall over the western coast of the Madagascar, as well as rough seas that have led to localized flooding in two coastal villages. Local disaster management committees, with the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), the Malagasy Red Cross Society and CARITAS took precautionary measures and evacuated an estimated 60 households (300 people) to local schools and other public buildings on 24 January 2012. However, the situation has since improved and almost all of those evacuated have already returned to their homes. The main roads are all still passable, and relief supplies have been pre-positioned in this area in case of this eventuality.

IV. Malawi

Since 22 January 2012, southern Malawi has been receiving continuous heavy rainfall, leading to large scale flooding in Nsanje District. The full impact of these floods are not yet known, but according to the latest information received from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), an estimated 2,949 people have been moved to higher ground, some of whom are being housed in various public buildings.

At a Humanitarian Coordination Team meeting that took place on 25 January 2012 the following was agreed: • For planning purposes and until more information is received from ongoing assessments, a working figure of 4,000 people (800 households) affected will be adopted; • Two weeks’ worth of food will be dispatched to Nsanje District on 26 January 2012; • UNICEF-provided survival kits for the 800 households will be dispatched immediately. Each survival kit contains two blankets, two mosquito nets, two pots, five cups, five plates, two plastic sheets, a jerry-can and a bucket; • The Health Ministry is chlorinating water in the affected communities and has already dispatched essential medical supplies to district health centres. No cholera cases have been recorded as yet, but preventative activities have begun; • The district councils have been requested by DODMA to ensure that people are registered and that community workers, especially health surveillance assistants, are monitoring conditions at the temporary sites; • A Cluster Leads meeting will take place on 25 January 2012 to discuss the next steps.

More information is expected shortly from the Malawi Defense Force, who is at the moment evacuating communities with rubber boats and a helicopter. As previously noted, rain is still falling over southern Malawi and is forecasted to continue into next week, which could worsen current flood conditions. To date no request for further international assistance has been received.

Excluding these significant floods in southern Malawi, DODMA has been responding to the impacts of numerous small and medium scale floods and storms since the start of the rainfall season, which have affected a total of 3,878 households (19,390 people). Relief items have already been provided to these affected households in a number of districts, and logistical arrangements to provide relief items in others are underway.

V. Mozambique

Mozambique has over the past week been affected by two tropical storms. Around 18 January 2012, Moderate Tropical Storm Dando formed over southern Mozambique and caused significant flooding in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane.

Only days later, Tropical Storm Funso formed in the Mozambique Channel, bringing heavy rains and flooding to the northern and central regions of the country, particularly Zambézia Province. Funso, currently a category 4 Tropical Cyclone, is still in the Mozambique Channel and moving in a south-easterly direction. It continues to bring rainfall to the coasts of Mozambique and Madagascar, but is not expected to make landfall. The latest trajectory of Funso can be seen in the graphic below.

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate 2 effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. www.ochaonline.un.org

OCHA Situation Report

As at 24 January 2012, the number of people affected in southern Mozambique by Tropical Storm Dando are as follows: 48,830 in Gaza Province, 1,235 in Maputo City, 1,155 in Maputo Province and 450 in Inhambane Province.

Regarding the impact of Tropical Cyclone Funso, preliminary information indicates that 2,575 households (12,875 people) are affected in Zambézia Province, but this number is expected to rise as rapid assessment teams return.

The National Disasters Management Institute (INGC) is currently operating from the capital of Zambézia Province, Quelimane, to coordinate the response with provincial authorities and international partners. Response efforts are also underway in southern Mozambique.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office will be issuing a Country Situation Report shortly, which will include more information on the situation and response. This report will be shared with partners and loaded onto the OCHA ROSA website: ochaonline.un.org/rosea

VI. Namibia

In northern Namibia, heavy rainfall last week caused flows in the Cuvelai oshanas (pans), and localized flooding was observed. About 400 people moved to a relocation camp in Oshakati Region. There are no major gaps in response at the camp, except a need to improve sanitation. In Omusati Region, 250 people are being housed in relocation camps and around 60 schools have been temporarily closed. However, the situation is improving. Rainfall has ceased and water flows are receding. Damage caused by these floods appears minimal, and no significant flooding is anticipated at this point in time; however, rainfall over northern Namibia is again expected next week, and the situation requires close monitoring.

River levels in north-east Namibia are increasing, specifically in the Kunene, Kavango, Kwando and Zambezi rivers. The upper Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo stands at 2.05 m as at 24 January 2012, higher than the annual average of 1.31 m for this time of year, but not as high as last year this time, when it stood at 3.94 m. Inundation of the Caprivi region usually starts when the Zambezi River reaches about 3.5 m to 4 m at Katima Mulilo.

VII. South Africa

Tropical Storm Dando, which affected southern Mozambique early last week, moved across into north-east South Africa and caused heavy rains in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga that resulted in the flooding of many areas. Maruleng municipality in Limpopo Province has been declared disaster area. According to preliminary reports from the Government of South Africa which are still being verified, 220 houses were damaged in Limpopo Province, while in Mpumalanga Province 50 households and 15 schools were affected. These floods have also resulted in extensive damages to bridges and road infrastructure, temporarily cutting off a number of villages and communities. Assessments are still underway to determine the extent of the damages, the number of peopple affected, injuries and fatalities. The coordination of emergency relief in the form of rescue services, food and other relief is underway in most areas. No request for international assistance is expected. VIII. Contact

Kelly David Head of Office, OCHA Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa +27 11 517 1609; [email protected]; Cell Phone +27 (0) 82 908 1338

Hein Zeelie Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer, OCHA Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa +27 11 517 1665; [email protected]; Cell Phone +27 (0)82 328 3038

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate 3 OCHA Situation Report

To be added or deleted from this SitRep mailing list, please email [email protected] or visit ochaonline.un.org/rosea.

Sources: Relevant national disaster management authorities, relevant UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices, Namibia Hydrological Services, ZRA Zambia. NASA, NOAA, Tropical Storm Risk. Note: Household size estimated at five persons, except for Angola, where it is estimated at 6.8 persons, and South Africa, where it is estimated at 3.69 persons.

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate 4 effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. www.ochaonline.un.org

Southern Africa Flood and Cyclone Update as at 25 January 2012

Since 22 January 2012, southern Malawi has been receiving continuous heavy rainfall, leading to large scale flooding in Nsanje District. While the full impact of the floods is not yet known, a working figure of 4,000 people (800 households) affected is being used. Bujumbura KENYA CONGO !. BrazzavilleKinshasa !. Around 18 January 2012, Moderate Tropical Storm Dando formed over southern Mozambique and caused significant flooding in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza and

L Inhambane. Only days later, Tropical Storm Funso formed in the Mozambique Channel, Congo u a bringing heavy rains and flooding to the northern and central regions of the country, l a Lake Tanganyika b particularly Zambézia Province. As at 24 January 2012, numbers of affected are as

a follows: 48,830 people in Gaza Province, 1,235 people in Maputo Province, and 450 people in Inhambane Province . Preliminary information indicated that 2,575 TANZANIA Lake Rukwa households (12,875 people) are affected in Zambezia Province, but this number is Luanda expected to rise as rapid assessment teams return. !. Lake Mweru Wantipa DRC Karonga SEYCHELLES ANGOLA Lake Bangweulu uvuma Moroni R !. COMOROS Luen a Lake Malawi ZAMBIA Mamoudzou !.MAYOTTE MALAWI MOZAMBIQUE

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v o Harare u a P moved to a relocation camp in Oshakati Region. In m n Mupfure Manyame un Etosha Pan g gw Antananarivo Omusati Region, 250 people are being housed in Omusati a o Osborne e ZIMBABWE !. relocation camps and around 60 schools have been Dam Tropical Cyclone Funso is causing temporarily closed. However, the situation is improving. Okavango Delta Makgadigadi Pans heavy rainfall over the western coast Lucite i of the Madagascar, as well as rough uz B Tropical Cyclone Funso seas that haSvaein t-lDede nisto localized

NAMIBIA ave S flooding in two coastal villages.

RÉUNION BOTSWANA Morombe! Precautionary measures were taken Windhoek Gaza # Province and an estimated 60 households !. Limpopo L Inhambane im ky (300 people) were evacuated on 24 b o Province ngo e p Province p Ma is po o January 2012. However, the situation u m p K Li o has since improved and almost all of Maruleng Hardap Dam Gaborone !( Municipality Inc those evacuated have returned to !. om at their homes. Maputo i Mpumalanga Province !. Province h Pretoria !. s Maputo Tr i Mbabane !. opica F l S torm D al SWAZILAND ando Naute Dam Va Bloemhof Dam Vaal Dam

Orange In South Africa, Tropical Storm Dando caused heavy rains in the Maseru!. provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga that resulted in the Vanderkloof Dam LESOTHO flooding of many areas. Maruleng municipality has been declared Orange a disaster area. According to preliminary reports 220 houses were Gariep Dam damaged in Limpopo, while in Mpumalanga 50 households and 15 schools were affected. These floods have also resulted in extensive damage to bridges and road infrastructure, temporarily Legend Atlantic Indian cutting off a number of villages and communities. Ocean SOUTH AFRICA Ocean !. Main Cities

Main Rivers Map ID:ROSEA195v1_Southern Africa Flood Update Creation Date: 25 January 2012 Dams and Lakes Data Sources: Flood Information: Humanitarian Partners on the ground International Boundaries Mapping Data: HYCOS, GIST, ESRI, UN OCHA, ReliefWeb, TSR

Disclaimer: Flood Affected Areas The designations employed and the presentation of material on this Please note that flood areas are mapped at district level, except for South Africa, map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the Tropical Cyclone Funso part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal Namibia and Mozambique, where some data was provided at regional level only. status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or 0 100 200 *Average household size is estimated at 5 people. Tropical Storm Dando concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. km 1:23,000,000