Mozambique flood warning system works!

A flood warning system which we had helped to set up was put to the test during recent floods along the River Búzi. It saved lives when Mozambique was hit by Tropical Cyclone Favio at the end of February 2007.

On 25 February, Tropical Cyclone Favio caused severe flooding along the River Búzi in Central Mozambique. Flood alerts had been issued from 21 February onward using a variety of techniques involving radio transmitters, megaphones, whistles, bicycles and warning flags. Despite initial reluctance to evacuate in some cases (in Mandiri, Guara-guara and Zindoga), people gradually began to leave the danger zone, so that by 24 February they had been brought to safety.

On 25 February, low-lying areas around the Búzi and in parts of the district capital of the same name were under water. All access roads were impassable. The inhabitants of the areas affected have since been facing considerable deprivation.

The Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) thanked helpers and had a special word of praise for the SIDPABB (Inter District Operational Flood Warning System for the Búzi River Basin), the warning system set up by GTZ and the Munich Re Foundation.

An official communication by the district government with a detailed description of the course of events (in English, German and Portuguese) can be accessed via the download section.