Government declares red alert as Mozambique braces for Freddy

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Government declares red alert as Mozambique braces for Freddy

11:58 CAT | 22 Feb 2023

Image: IOM Mozambique on Twitter

The Mozambican Council of Ministers on Tuesday decreed a state of ‘red alert’ in order to respond more quickly to the floods affecting the country.

“With the red alert, space is opened so that, with much greater flexibility and simplification of procedures, the government may use mechanisms to minimise suffering,” said spokesperson Filimao Suaze, citing the possibility of civil mobilisation [requisiçao civil] as among possible actions to promptly “involve more means and people” in rescue operations.

Last night Cyclone #Freddy made a destructive landfall in Madagascar. We are thinking of all those affected & humanitarian colleagues working tirelessly to respond.

While the cyclone weakened, it will likely restrengthen again once it reaches open water and reach #Mozambique🇲🇿. pic.twitter.com/UMHCTDVtlM

— IOM Mozambique (@IOM_Mozambique) February 22, 2023

According to the updated balance sheet presented yesterday, the number of deaths in the rainy season rose to 95, a total which already includes 11 deaths in the floods recorded between 07 and 20 February in the south of the country.

The floods, primarily in the Maputo region, have had an impact on 43,500 people, bringing the total number of people affected since the beginning of the rainy season to 100,000.

Several members of the government were deployed yesterday leading teams in various provinces for operations in preparation for Cyclone Freddy, which hit Madagascar yesterday and is expected to hit the provinces of Sofala and Inhambane on Thursday night.

READ: Mozambique: Cyclone Freddy may hit Inhambane coast – AIM

Mozambique: Sofala on alert over cyclone Freddy – Watch

The strength with which Cyclone Freddy will reach the country is still uncertain, as is also whether it will be classified as a cyclone or a tropical storm, but forecasts agree in predicting very heavy rain for Friday and the following days in the centre and southern interior of Mozambique.

Meteofr.map_ — *Image: Meteo France on 22 February 2023*

Cyclone #Freddy has weakened back to Tropical Storm status over #Madagascar for the first time since February 10th.

Additional strengthening is forecast over the Mozambique Channel before a projected landfall on #Mozambique later this week. pic.twitter.com/mItkTQcQ0t

— Michael Ferragamo (@FerragamoWx) February 22, 2023

#Freddy made landfall over Madagascar bringing high winds and torrential rain. It will pass over the island and head to Mozambique at the end of the week. Heed all warnings and stay safe. #EarlyWarningsForAll

🔗 https://t.co/JV5oNOyiq4

🎥 Simon Proud / NCEO / EUMETSAT pic.twitter.com/mdULCkotRr

— World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) February 22, 2023

#Freddy is now an overland depression after making landfall near #Mananjary, #Madagascar around 9:30pm, local time. Storm will emerge over the #Mozambique Channel later Wednesday & can reach severe TS intensity before striking Mozambique between Beira & Murrumbene on Friday. pic.twitter.com/Am1rR1s9Gl

— Jason Nicholls (@jnmet) February 21, 2023

Source: Lusa