Seychelles: Floods - Feb 2014
Overview
Heavy rains and strong winds starting in the early hours of 24 Jan 2014 and continuing for several days resulted in flooding on the islands of Praslin, La Digue and northern parts of Mahe in the Seychelles. The main damage and effects reported were stagnant flood water in the lowland areas on La Digue and several landslides after the collapse of terraced fields/riverbanks. A total of 1,500 people in Marie Jeanne Estate on Praslin, and 2,500 people on La Digue have been affected. (IFRC, 7 Feb 2014)
Affected countries
Maps & Infographics
Most read reports
- OCHA: Southern Africa: Floods and Cyclones (Rainfall Season Oct 2014 - May 2015). 24 Jun 2015
- OCHA: Southern Africa: Floods and Cyclones (Rainfall Season Oct 2013 - May 2014). 27 May 2014
- OCHA: Southern Africa Humanitarian Bulletin: Issue 15, May 2014. 27 May 2014
- OCHA: Southern Africa: Weekly Report (11 to 17 February 2014). 17 Feb 2014
- IFRC: Seychelles: Flood Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) DREF Operation n° MDRSC003 Update n° 1. 4 Apr 2014
Situation Overview
The 2014/2015 Southern African rainfall season, which stretches from October to May , saw severe floods in the east of the region. The remainder of the region experienced poor rains that were late to arrive and irregular.
Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar were hit by multiple floods between December 2014 and April 2015 (accounting for 97% of all flood affected people) . A total of 10 tropical storm systems were monitored during the season, with tropical storms Chedza and Fundi affecting Madagascar in early 2015.
A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Situation Overview
During the 2013/2014 rainfall season (October 2013 - May 2014), severe weather events caused flooding in several Southern African countries, with almost all affected by some level of flooding. Nine tropical cyclones were recorded during the season, compared to the seasonal average of ten, of which three made landfall: Hellen, Amara and Deliwe. A total of 383,256 people were affected and 117 deaths reported. 195,000 USD was issued in the form of OCHA emergency cash grants to assist in response activities.
HIGHLIGHTS
An estimated 383,261 people were affected by floods or storms and at least 117 people lost their lives during the 2013/2014 rainfall season.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen, which impacted Mozambique, Comoros and Madagascar in late March, was one of the most powerful cyclones ever recorded in the Mozambique Channel.
In Zimbabwe, the more than 15,625 people evacuated remain in dire living conditions.
Summary of major revisions made to emergency plan of action:
Namibia:
A cholera outbreak has been reported in Katutura on the edge of Windhoek, including 11 suspected cholera cases, 3 confirmed cases and 1 death reported.
The poor WASH conditions and open defecation is of concern. Katutura had a population 43,109 in the 2011 census, although unofficial records suggest around 200,000 inhabitants due to immigration, which has been exacerbated by drought conditions.
Description of the disaster
Heavy rains and strong winds in the early hours of 24th January 2014 resulted in flooding on the islands of Praslin, La Digue and northern parts of Mahe in the Seychelles. In the following days, ongoing rainfall and strong winds continued to affect the three islands. The districts of Baie St Anne and Marie Jeanne Estate on Praslin, and most of the low land and coastal areas on La Digue Island were particularly affected.
