Experience in coping with floods in Central Mozambique

Experience in coping with floods in Central Mozambique

MoisMoiséés Vicente Benessenes Vicente BenesseneNational Institute of Meteorology of MozambiqueNational Institute of Meteorology of Mozambique

moises_b@inam.gov.mzmoises_b@inam.gov.mz

Objectives of the presentationObjectives of the presentation

Look at the lessons learned from the major Look at the lessons learned from the major floods in 2007floods in 2007Share MozambiqueShare Mozambique’’s practical experiences s practical experiences in early warning systemin early warning system

Mozambique’s vulnerability to natural disasters can be explained by its location (10°27‘S - 26°25‘S )

Mozambique’s vulnerability to natural disasters can be explained by its location (10°27‘S - 26°25‘S )

Natural Disasters in Natural Disasters in MozambiqueMozambique

•• Floods (every year)Floods (every year)•• Tropical Cyclones (every 3 Tropical Cyclones (every 3

to 4 years)to 4 years)•• Drought (every 3 to 4 years)Drought (every 3 to 4 years)•• Tsunami waves (2004 event)Tsunami waves (2004 event)•• Earthquake (2005)Earthquake (2005)•• EpidemicsEpidemics•• WindstormsWindstorms•• Sea level rise (2007)Sea level rise (2007)•• ErosionErosion

DEFINING DISASTER RISKDEFINING DISASTER RISK

Disaster risk = Disaster risk = hazardhazard x vulnerabilityx vulnerabilitycoping capacitycoping capacity

More than 60% of the Mozambican More than 60% of the Mozambican population lives below the poverty line. population lives below the poverty line. They do not have coping capacity to They do not have coping capacity to overcome the impacts of natural disasters.overcome the impacts of natural disasters.

Increased vulnerabilityIncreased vulnerabilityReduced coping capacityReduced coping capacity

Increased Disaster RiskIncreased Disaster Risk

Mozambique 2000 - Floods and Cyclone Mozambique 2000 - Floods and Cyclone

On February 2000, On February 2000, Mozambique was hit Mozambique was hit by category 4 Tropical by category 4 Tropical Cyclone Cyclone ““ELINEELINE”” , , and major floods. and major floods. The number of The number of fatalities was more fatalities was more than 700 people.than 700 people.

a) Tropical cyclone

“ELINE” (23.02.2000).

Mozambique 2007 – Floods and Cyclone Mozambique 2007 – Floods and Cyclone

Between December 2006 and Between December 2006 and February 2007, heavy rains across February 2007, heavy rains across northern and Central Mozambique, northern and Central Mozambique, together with severe rainfall in together with severe rainfall in neighboring countries, led to neighboring countries, led to flooding along the Zambezi River flooding along the Zambezi River Basin in Basin in TeteTete, , ManicaManica, , SofalaSofala and and ZambeziaZambezia provinces.provinces.

On February 22, 2007, Tropical On February 22, 2007, Tropical Cyclone Cyclone FavioFavio made landfall in made landfall in VilanculosVilanculos District, District, InhambaneInhambaneProvince, as the equivalent of a Province, as the equivalent of a category 4 storm, and continued category 4 storm, and continued through through SofalaSofala and and ManicaManicaProvinces. Provinces. The number of fatalities was less The number of fatalities was less than 20 people.than 20 people.

Why the number of fatalities in 2007 was very low compared to 2000? Why the number of fatalities in 2007 was very low compared to 2000?

Lessons learned from floods and Cyclone in 2000 and 2001: Lessons learned from floods and Cyclone in 2000 and 2001:

After experience of floods and cyclone occurred in After experience of floods and cyclone occurred in the south and centre of Mozambique in 2000 and the south and centre of Mozambique in 2000 and 2001, and the catastrophic consequences, it was 2001, and the catastrophic consequences, it was recognized that the countryrecognized that the country’’s capacity and s capacity and structure for disaster management faced certain structure for disaster management faced certain limitations at all levels in the areas of prevention, limitations at all levels in the areas of prevention, preparation and response to such climate preparation and response to such climate disasters.disasters.

The Mozambican Action Plan for the The Mozambican Action Plan for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty (PARPA) Reduction of Absolute Poverty (PARPA) 2006 2006 –– 2009 recognized that the efforts to 2009 recognized that the efforts to implement poverty reduction plans need to implement poverty reduction plans need to take into account vulnerability aspects, take into account vulnerability aspects, which should become an integral part of which should become an integral part of development plans. development plans.

Application of scientific knowledgeApplication of scientific knowledgeThe INGC made global Action The INGC made global Action Planning in Response to the Planning in Response to the OND 2006 and JFM 2007 OND 2006 and JFM 2007 Seasonal Climate Forecast for Seasonal Climate Forecast for Mozambique.Mozambique.OOn 27.09.2007 there was n 27.09.2007 there was

simulation on flow of simulation on flow of information and cooperation information and cooperation between the communities and the between the communities and the relevant institutions in case of relevant institutions in case of cyclonecyclone--triggered flood over triggered flood over ZambezeZambeze and and BuziBuzi basins).basins).Strong coStrong co--ordination of ordination of government officials & civil government officials & civil defensedefense

Successful stories of floods and Cyclones in 2007 Successful stories of floods and Cyclones in 2007

After 2000 floods the GTZ (German Technical After 2000 floods the GTZ (German Technical Corporation) in coordination with INGC (National Institute Corporation) in coordination with INGC (National Institute of Disaster Management) agreed to implement a project in of Disaster Management) agreed to implement a project in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the region of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the region of BuziBuziriver basin. The objective of project is to integrate coping river basin. The objective of project is to integrate coping capacities in communities living in high risk zones. The capacities in communities living in high risk zones. The activities was:activities was:Risk analysis;Risk analysis;Disaster Risk mitigation;Disaster Risk mitigation;Development of early warning system;Development of early warning system;and disaster preparedness.and disaster preparedness.

Achievements of DRMAchievements of DRM

Communities are Communities are effectively using the effectively using the local DRM local DRM committees for committees for information, information, coordination and coordination and support in the case of support in the case of emergenciesemergencies

Achievements of DRM, cont…Achievements of DRM, cont…

DRM is well DRM is well integrated into district integrated into district plans based on risk plans based on risk analysisanalysisThere is a sound flow There is a sound flow of information and of information and cooperation between cooperation between the communities and the communities and relevant institutionsrelevant institutions

Achievements of DRM, cont…Achievements of DRM, cont…

The communities are The communities are positively motivated positively motivated and conscientious in and conscientious in the discharge of their the discharge of their tasktask

SIDPABB is people centered early warning SIDPABB is people centered early warning system for system for BuziBuzi river basin. Under river basin. Under SIDPABB the following was achieved:SIDPABB the following was achieved:

Community ready to use climate informationCommunity ready to use climate informationGood use of tropical cyclone warning systemGood use of tropical cyclone warning systemGood use of flood warning systemGood use of flood warning systemCommunity ready to reduce the risk to disastersCommunity ready to reduce the risk to disastersCommunity ready to respond to disastersCommunity ready to respond to disasters

#Reduction of the death tool in the 2007 floods #Reduction of the death tool in the 2007 floods and cyclone.and cyclone.

The SIDPABB is being expanded to other districts using following formula: The SIDPABB is being expanded to other districts using following formula:

Public awareness for hazard risk

Application of scientific knowledge

Public policy commitment

+

+

Tropical cyclone “Favio” and Forecasted rainfall over Buzi River Basin Tropical cyclone “Favio” and Forecasted rainfall over Buzi River Basin

Observation

Forecast

SIDPABB was crucial in reduction of the death in

the 2007 floods in Buzi Basin

SIDPABB: Hydro meteorological information SIDPABB: Hydro meteorological information

Analysis of information and issue of warnings Analysis of information and issue of warnings

Warning disseminationWarning dissemination

We consider We consider responsibility at local responsibility at local levels to communicate levels to communicate warnings received to warnings received to those at risk in detail, those at risk in detail, and for facilitating and for facilitating community actions to community actions to prevent loss and prevent loss and damagedamageMr. Sergio Moiane

administractor of Buzi District

Response: Inharongue Community Action plan Response: Inharongue Community Action plan

Everyone at risk must:Everyone at risk must:Receive warningReceive warningBelieve itBelieve itReact timelyReact timely

Inharongue 02.19.2007

Buzi river, February,24.2007