Attachments
Highlights
According to MTOTEC the system has evolved from severe tropical storm to tropical cyclone category 3;
Strong winds and heavy rains expected to occur from 15-18 February in Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo provinces.
The population at risk is estimated to be approximately 730,000 people (JTWC) and 750,000 (provincial authorities of Inhambane);
Assessment teams on standby to be deployed and support provincial authorities;
Cities and villages of Maxixe, Morrumbene, Massinga, Inharrime, Funalouro and Homoíne are at the moment partially without electricity.
Situation Overview
Mozambique is being affected by tropical storm formed in the Mozambique channel. According to MTOTEC (satellite imagery, surface analysis, and storm system information for the southwest Indian Ocean cyclone basin) the system has evolved from severe tropical storm to tropical cyclone category 31 . The system is moving faster with a speed of 19 km/h and is brining strong winds of about 160km/h. According to information from the field, the cyclone effect is already being felt in the risk districts.
From 15 to 18 February 2017, the National Institute of meteorology (INAM) foresee that in Gaza province the districts of Mandlakazi, Xai-Xai, Chibuto, Guija, Massingir, Mabalane and in Inhambane province districts of Morrumbene, Jangamo, Inharime, Panda, Homoine, Vilankulos, Maxixe, Massinga, Zavala, and Inhambane city might be affected by strong winds and heavy rains.
Usually strong winds and heavy rains affects the electricity poles, telecommunication, road infrastructure, schools and crop areas. Most of these impacts will result on electricity failure/black out in Inhambane and Gaza areas, isolated communities, loss of crops among others. Cities and villages of Maxixe, Morrumbene, Massinga, Inharrime, Funalouro and Homoíne are at the moment partially without electricity.
The Government had intensified the monitoring of the situation in the affected districts and had deployed teams to the districts to support the local government to implement the recommended measures. At central level a multisector team for needs assessment was formed by the Government to support the provincial teams. The HCT will join the Government and has already identified an assessment team. The team will be deployed as soon as the situation improves and access to affected areas.
Although it is too premature to indicate the population to be affected, the estimations done by provincial authorities in Inhambane indicates that about 750,000 people might be affected by cyclone. These figure is based on the total population living in the risk area and will be updated in the next days.
Based on the MTOTEC update and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)2 storm track the RCO projected the population at risk and in the pathway of the cyclone. Based on this exercise the estimation is that about 735,000 are at risk of the cyclone effects. For more details, see the map in the following page.