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Tropical Cyclone Eloise - Jan 2021

Estado
Pasado
Países
Mozambique
+ 4
Tipos de desastres
Ciclón tropical
+ 1

A low-pressure weather system that formed in the south-west Indian Ocean on 14 January has evolved into a moderate tropical storm, named Eloise, and is expected to make landfall in north-eastern Madagascar between 19 and 20 January, according to different weather services. The storm, which is currently about 700 km from the coast of Madagascar, continues to strengthen and could hit the country between Antalaha and Tamatave, potentially as a severe tropical storm, according to the Global Disaster Alert Coordination System. (OCHA, 18 Jan 2021)

In Madagascar, more than 1,000 people have been directly affected, at least one died, and more than 50 houses were destroyed, as Tropical Storm Eloise passed through Antalaha, Maroantsetra, Vavatenina and Toamasina districts. (OCHA, 20 Jan 2021)

Tropical Storm Eloise is in the Mozambique Channel, where it is forecast to intensify into a tropical cyclone on Friday, 22 January. The storm is expected to make landfall in Sofala Province, Mozambique, probably on Saturday, 23 January. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected in several districts of Nampula, Sofala and Zambezia provinces in Mozambique from 22 January. Latest forecasts indicate that the storm may then pass through southern Zimbabwe. (OCHA, 21 Jan 2021)

Tropical Cyclone Eloise made landfall in central Mozambique on 23 January at around 2 a.m., near the coastal city of Beira, with winds of 140 km/h and gusts up to 160 km/h, according to Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM). Beira received 250 mm of rain in 24 hours, according to INAM, while other areas that were flooded ahead of Eloise’s landfall—including Buzi and Nhamatanda—also received additional heavy rains. After landfall, Eloise downgraded to a moderate tropical storm with a maximum wind speed of 83 km/hr. The weather system continues to move in a westerly direction, bringing high amounts of rainfall in its wake, according to the South Africa Weather Services (SAWS). (OCHA, 23 Jan 2021)

According to the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), more than 175,000 people have been affected by the cyclone in Mozambique, and over 8,000 houses have been destroyed, damaged, or flooded. Thus far, six people are confirmed dead since Eloise made landfall on Saturday. Three days later, a total of 32 accommodation centres have been activated in Sofala province to provide temporary shelter for over 15,000 men, women and children. According to an assessment by the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and Mozambique’s INGD, needs at these accommodation centres include food, tents, potable water, hygiene kits, COVID-19 prevention materials, mosquito nets, blankets, flashlights, tarps, health kits, and soap. (IOM, 26 Jan 2021)

The Tropical storm landed in South Africa on the 24 January 2021 after it was predicted by South African Weather Service.According to a Government report through its Command-and-Control Centre, some 3,200 people (640 HH) in Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces have been affected by heavy rains and flooding following Tropical Storm Eloise. The tropical storms also extended to other provinces with no damages. The floods triggered by the heavy rain have reportedly killed four people so far. Across all the three provinces, homes were partially or completely destroyed, families. (IFRC, 3 Feb 2021).

In January 2021, Tropical Cyclone Eloise, swept through large parts of the region, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds, including in Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa. Eloise killed at least 12 people (One in Madagascar and 11 in Mozambique) and affected more than 467,000 people across the region, including 2,800 in Madagascar, 441,690 in Mozambique, 3,200 in South Africa and 20,270 in Zimbabwe. Mozambique’s central provinces, which were still recovering from the devastation wrought by Cyclone Idai in 2019, were hardest-hit by Tropical Cyclone Eloise. (OCHA, 20 May 2021).