Flood in Mozambique (2007)

Mozambique

Cyclone Favio February 22, 2007.

The Mozambique flood of 2007 began at the end of December 2006, when the Cahors Bas Basin was flooded by heavy rains in southern Africa . The situation worsened on February 22, 2007 when Cyclone Favio hit the central province of Inambane ; cyclone-tracking experts predicted that it would worsen flooding in the Zambezi River Valley ^[1] . Zambezi overflowed, flooding the vicinity of Mozambique ^{[2] [3]} . The Chir and Ribuview rivers were also flooded ^[4] .

On February 14, 80,600 people were evacuated from their homes in the provinces of Tete , Manika , Sofala and Zambesia ^[5] . On 22 February, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that approximately 121,000 people had left their homes as a result of the flood. ^[6] Some people refused to leave their homes and abandon livestock ^[5] . 29 people were injured, 10 people died ^[7] .

In early February, the Mozambican authorities did not think that the flood would be as devastating as in 2000 and 2001, Paulo Zutsula, head of the Mozambique National Agency, said: “We expect even more water than in 2001. The situation is getting worse and will be getting worse, but this time we are better prepared than in 2001 ” ^[2] . The World Food Program estimated that up to 285,000 people may need food assistance ^[4] . WFP food aid supplies began on February 15th ^[8] . One helicopter was prepared to assist in evacuation centers ^[9] . However, thousands of people did not receive food or drinking water, and the threat of disease outbreaks also increased; Paulo Zutsula declined his previous comments on readiness, saying: “We were not ready ... this is another disaster” ^[10] .