analysis and synthesis of tropical cyclone freddy

Climate intelligence at work: the case of Cyclone Freddy

• Marina Menga
• April 19, 2023

Cyclone Freddy has recently made the headlines worldwide because of its destructive impacts on land and its record-breaking intensity. Indeed, Freddy had quite a peculiar behaviour. It developed near the western coast of Australia at the beginning of February 2023, and it crossed the Southern Indian Ocean westward, reaching the eastern coast of Africa over a few weeks. It made a first landfall on Madagascar, crossed the Channel and made landfall over the coast of Mozambique.

Typically, cyclones are fed by heat and energy from the ocean, so they lose intensity when they touch land and tend to dissipate. Unusually, instead of dissipating after landfall, Freddy travelled back to the ocean, where it gained more energy and inverted its direction, hitting land again over the coast of Mozambique and then over Malawi. This uncommon behavior made it the longest tropical Cyclone ever recorded, with a duration of 38 days , beating the previous record of 30 days by more than a week and travelling a total distance of more than 8,000 kilometres.

Freddy is now also recognized as the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), a metric which expresses the energy released by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime.

This metric is particularly convenient because it gives an estimate of both the cyclone’s intensity, which is typically its maximum velocity, and its duration, giving a measure of the dissipated energy, which is more representative of the cyclone’s overall activity. According to NASA , Freddy is the highest-ACE-producing tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide.

Unfortunately, Cyclone Freddy stood out also for its violence and destructive force, being the third-deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, after Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Flores cyclone in 1973. It produced extraordinarily heavy rains, strong winds, and excessive flooding, destroying houses, crops, and infrastructures, primarily in Mozambique and Malawi.

The death toll in South-East Africa is estimated to be hundreds, with Malawi being the most affected country. The cyclone further compromised communities already struggling with the spread of cholera and often lacking an adequate healthcare system to respond to emergencies.

As reported by Reuters , Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera said that “the death toll from Cyclone Freddy has risen sharply to more than 1,000 people”. Hundreds of people are still missing in the region, and more than half a million are displaced.

The role of climate change

But do these extremes follow an overall tendency in worsening extreme climate events? And is this caused by climate change?

Attribution science, or extreme event attribution, is a relatively recent field in climate science that tries to quantitatively determine if an extreme weather event was caused or worsened by climate change or was simply due to natural variations.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had already warned in its reports about an expected rise in intense precipitations, floods, mean wind speed and tropical cyclones, with stronger associated precipitations, in the areas of South-East Africa and Madagascar.

However, it is not always easy to clearly determine if climate change plays a crucial role in the occurrence of an extreme event, and rigorous analyses are not yet available in the case of Cyclone Freddy.

There are mainly two ways to do an attribution analysis for an event such as a tropical cyclone.

The first is of a statistical kind: analyzing the number, frequency, intensity, and impacts of extreme events like Freddy that happen in the present, and making a comparison with the same parameters from pre-industrial times, can give an estimate of the possible influence of climate change on these phenomena.

Another way is to analyse a particular storm through model simulations under different conditions typical of the past, the present, and the future. This will point out under which climate scenario a storm would be more likely.

Climate Intelligence

“Many studies have been carried out at CMCC to try and understand the effects of climate change on tropical cyclones,” says Enrico Scoccimarro of the Climate Simulations and Prediction (CSP) division at the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) . “On one hand, it is true that with a warmer climate we have a more stable atmosphere, and thus we expect less tropical cyclones. On the other hand, however, it is also true that a higher availability of energy in the ocean leads to more intense storms. Moreover, if a storm happens to go back to the ocean, it has a higher probability to re-strengthen and hit land again, and this is just what happened with Freddy recently.”

A crucial factor in the creation of the perfect storm is the stratification of the ocean. Tropical cyclones are characterized by a mechanism of negative feedback that tends to slow-down and sometimes dissipate the storms. Cyclones absorb heat from water while crossing the ocean, and gain energy from it, making it cooler. In addition to the induced upwelling, in which cooler layers from the bottom of the ocean travel upwards, a process of turbulent mixing of water layers also takes place. With less heat available on the surface, slower cyclones tend to lose their strength and slowly fade, while faster and more violent storms tend to proceed almost undisturbed.

“The point is that this negative feedback is more or less efficient depending on the storm speed and on the level of ocean stratification,” says Scoccimarro. “The stratification is not the same in past or future climate scenarios, and it also varies in the different areas of the world. On average, in a warmer climate, more intense storms are more likely to happen. In a changed climate, we will likely have fewer storms, but they will likely be much more intense .”  

CLINT (CLimate INTelligence) project  has the goal to improve detection methods of extreme events and their causation and attribution through Machine Learning techniques. Extreme events include not only tropical cyclones but also heat waves or floods, and the project has a focus on South-East Africa for analysing extreme precipitation associated with cyclones. “We are trying to develop improved tools to better quantify the amount of precipitation in the area, in this case, associated with cyclone Freddy,” says Scoccimarro. “This could also be useful to characterize floods and drought events on the dominion of the Zambesi River, which is very close to the impacted areas.”  

Predicting the birth of a cyclone like Freddy is not straightforward, but there are parameters and models that can be used to determine if the physical conditions of an area over a certain period of time are favourable. Genesis potential indexes (or GPI) are generally empirical formulations that give an estimate of the occurrence of a tropical cyclone in a cell of 5 degrees longitude by 5 degrees latitude. “Within the CLINT project, we are using Machine Learning to improve this empirical index,” said Scoccimarro. “That is, we are working to improve the correlation of this index and the actual occurrence of a cyclone in a certain area, which is crucial for allowing an optimal response and preparedness to disasters.”

• All Article

Those that lose out: Paying for the biggest cost of climate change

Fanning the flames of wildfire resilience

Discovering wind droughts and their impacts on energy supply

Paris rulebook: extra meeting to be held in Bangkok as deadline of COP24 looms

May session of UN climate negotiations closed in Bonn with slow progress on the operational guidelines of the Paris Agreement, due to be finalized and …

From waste to resource: the rise of urban mining

Mining isn’t the only way to extract the critical raw materials needed for the green transition. Soon, they could increasingly be recovered from waste, reducing the need for virgin materials and the dependence of EU from the import.

To what extent do we value the future?

Over the last few decades, through rigorous investigation and research, the scientific community has reached a consensus around the reality of climate change. As this process continues, there is also a need to focus on finding solutions to the unfolding crisis and communicating scientific knowledge through effective storytelling.

Privacy Overview

AOML Communications

Australia to Africa in 36 days: Tropical Cyclone Freddy (2023), the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in history

Original press release published by the World Meteorological Organization on July 2, 2024.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared Tropical Cyclone Freddy to be the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record, at 36 days. Freddy crossed from Australia to Africa from February 4 to March 14, 2023, causing major human and economic losses in the worst-affected countries.

A WMO international committee of experts working under the auspices of the Weather and Climate Extremes Archive , including Sim Aberson from NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory, conducted a detailed analysis and verification of the distance and duration. The evaluation committee recognized Tropical Cyclone Freddy’s duration of 36 days at tropical storm status or higher as the new world record for the longest tropical cyclone duration. In terms of distance, the WMO analysis indicated that TC Freddy traveled 12,785 km (7,945 miles, 6,905 nautical miles) at tropical storm status or above. To put that number in perspective, that distance is nearly 33% of the Earth’s circumference.

“Freddy was a very interesting system in many ways, and it shows the importance of monitoring these systems even far from land to try to mitigate impacts to populations and ecosystems” said Aberson. “Though Freddy was very destructive and lasted longer than any other tropical cyclone on records, we need to make sure we’re ready for all tropical cyclones, especially the short-lived ones that rapidly intensify and strike with only short notice.”

To read the full press release, please visit WMO .

Photo Source: NASA’s Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth

• September 09, 2024 to September 13, 2024 Africa Industrialization Week (AIW)
• September 04, 2024 to September 06, 2024 Africa Urban Forum : “Sustainable Urbanization for Africa’s Transformation: Agenda 2063”
• August 12, 2024 Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development- International Youth Day
• August 08, 2024 Togo and Rwanda feted for commitment in reporting on democracy and governance.
• August 08, 2024 Boko Haram and other terrorist groups activities in Lake Chad Basin region suppressed in a joint forces operation.
• August 06, 2024 Africa seeks Win-Win Partnership with US through Enhanced AGOA
• August 05, 2024 AU Peace Fund makes significant progress and sets out innovative plans for resource mobilization
• August 05, 2024 AU Committee Grants $10.4M Emergency Funds to Africa CDC for Mpox Response
• August 05, 2024 to August 09, 2024 Fifth Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Health, Nutrition, Population and Drug Control (STC-HPNDC-5)

An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa.

Promoting Africa’s growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation and integration of African states.

• Member States
• Constitutive Act
• AU Symbols & Anthem
• AU Languages
• AU Holidays
• AU Handbook
• The Assembly
• Executive Council
• Permanent Representatives Committee
• Peace & Security Council
• Specialised Technical Committees
• AU Commission
• NEPAD / AU Development Agency
• AfCFTA Secretariat
• AU Foundation
• Financial Institutions
• Judicial, Human Rights & Legal Organs
• Pan-African Parliament
• Economic, Social & Cultural Council
• African Peer Review Mechanism
• Regional Economic Communities
• Specialised Agencies & Institutions
• African Union Chair
• Champion Presidents
• AUC Chairperson
• AUC Deputy Chairperson
• AUC Commissioners
• High Representatives
• Special Envoys
• Special Representatives
• AU Elections

• Conflict Resolution, Peace & Security
• Infrastructure & Energy Development
• Agricultural Development
• Trade & Industrial Development
• Visa Free Africa
• Democracy, Law & Human Rights
• Promoting Health & Nutrition
• Migration, Labour & Employment
• Promoting Sports & Culture
• Education, Science & Technology
• Youth Development
• Economic Integration & Private Sector Development
• Diaspora & Civil Society Engagement
• Gender Equality & Development
• Bureau of the Chairperson
• Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson
• Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE)
• Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, Mining (ETTIM)
• Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI)
• Infrastructure and Energy
• Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS)
• Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS)
• Administration & Human Resources
• Citizens & Diaspora
• Conference Management and Publications
• Information and Communication
• Internal Audit
• Legal Counsel
• Medical and Health Services
• Programming, Budget, Finance & Accounting
• Protocol Services
• Strategic Planning
• Women, Gender & Development
• Partnerships Management and Resource Mobilisation
• Peace Fund Secretariat
• Washington DC
• EU & African Caribbean & Pacific States
• League of Arab States
• Southern Africa Region
• Other Mission and Special Liaison Offices
• NEPAD Coordination Unit
• Intelligence and Security Committee

Agenda 2063 is the blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the strategic framework for delivering on Africa’s goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.

• Aspirations
• First-Ten Year Implementation Plan
• Flagship Projects
• National & RECs Development Priorities
• Continental Frameworks
• Key Transformational Outcomes of Agenda 2063
• Goals & Priority Areas
• Linking Agenda 2063 and the SDGs

H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, was appointed to lead the AU institutional reforms process. He appointed a pan-African committee of experts to review and submit proposals for a system of governance for the AU that would ensure the organisation was better placed to address the challenges facing the continent with the aim of implementing programmes that have the highest impact on Africa’s growth and development so as to deliver on the vision of Agenda 2063.

• Overview of Institutional Reforms
• Continental Priorities
• Institutional Realignment
• Connect with Africans
• Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency
• Sustainable Financing

• Constitutive Act, Charters, Privileges & Immunities
• Treaties on Peace & Security
• Energy & Infrastructure Treaties
• Agriculture & Environmental Management Treaties
• Treaties on Trade, Economic Integration & Development
• Treaties on Refugees, Migration, Labour & Employment
• Governance Treaties
• Human Rights Treaties
• Health & Social Welfare Treaties
• Treaties on Sports, Arts & Culture
• Treaties on Education, Science & Technology
• Treaties on Youth Development
• Treaties on Civil Society & Diaspora
• Treaties on Women & Gender Issues
• Status of All Treaties

• Latest News
• Press Releases
• Briefings / Media Advisories
• Web TV / Livestream
• Spokesperson
• Audio-Visual Library
• MEDIA ACCREDITATION
• LEGAL NOTICES

• AU Financial Statements
• Assembly Decisions & Declarations
• Executive Council Decisions and Declarations
• Reports of the AUC Chairperson
• Mid-Year Coordination Declarations
• Budget and Financial Reports
• STC Reports
• PRC Reports
• AU Echo Magazine
• Agenda 2063: The Africa we want
• Sectoral Reports
• Election Calendar
• All African Union websites
• AU Archives

Root Menu - Work with Us

The AU offers exciting opportunities to get involved in determining continental policies and implementing development programmes that impact the lives of African citizens everywhere. Find out more by visiting the links on right.

• AUC Procurement Policy
• Annual Procurement Plan
• Notice of Awarded Contracts
• Notification of Unsuccessful Bids
• Development Partners
• Private Sector
• Civil Society
• 3D Tour of AU Facilities
• Annual Meetings & Summits
• Visit the AU Headquarters
• Host your event at the AU Headquarters

Search form

Advanced Search

Impacts and Lessons from Tropical Cyclone Freddy

An assessment undertaken by the African Union Commission (AUC) jointly with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi, identified important lessons for recovery. The assessment took place end of August 2023.

The Cyclone hit first Mozambique during the fourth week of February as it made a turn to Madagascar causing severe destruction in the town of Mananjary in Madagascar before it made a second landfall in Mozambique as it headed to Malawi. This made Cyclone Freddy a record-breaking, becoming the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide. Additionally, it became the third-deadliest tropical cyclone recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, after Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Cyclone Flores in 1973.

One week before Cyclone Freddy could hit Mozambique, H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and the AU Champion of Disaster Risk Reduction, made a landmark   visit to the AMHEWAS Situation Room for Disaster Risk Reduction  on 17 February  2023, at a time when the AMHEWAS Situation Room was monitoring the Cyclone Freddy as it was heading to Madagascar and Mozambique. Cognisance of devastating impacts that Madagascar experienced in 2022, President Nyusi requested the AUC to support Madagascar as its braces for the impact from Cyclone Freddy.

In fulfilment of the AU’s Champion call, the assessment mission was undertaken to assess the impact of the Cyclone in the affected countries, to identify lessons and opportunities for resilience building.

Mr Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, the AUC Director of  Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy  (SEBE), headed the delegation. The AUC delegation comprised of officers from the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit, the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) and the  Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development . Mr Anderson Banda, the Director of the SADC  Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre  (SHOC), represented the SADC. Three experts from the United Nations Development Programme also participated in the mission. Representative of the Embassies and Permanent Mission of the three countries participated in the mission. The team had first-hand interactions with the authorities and communities ravaged by the Cyclone in Mananjary in Madagascar, Quelimane in Mozambique, and Blantyre in Malawi. 

In Madagascar , Hon. Tokely Justin, Minister of Interior and Decentralisation of the Republic of Madagascar received the team upon arrival. Hon. Tokely highlighted that the country is always on the Cyclone path and is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The Minister was also accompanied by the  National Office for Risk and Disaster Management  (BNGRC). Hon. Tokely also appreciated the support offered by the African Union earlier in 2023 in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy. While in Madagascar, the team visited the town of Mananjary, in the region of Vatovavy, where the Cyclone hit. Mananjary has been devastated by many cyclones, including the Batsirai in early 2022 and Freddy in 2023. Cyclone Freddy destroyed hospitals and health centres, and 58,000 children were out of schools after the destruction of their classrooms. Also, the community is facing acute malnutrition.

In Mozambique , the group first held discussions with the  National Institute for Disaster Risk Management  (INGD) and other sectors including meteorology, education and housing, through the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The team also visited the city of Quelimane, in the province of Zambezia, and interacted with communities directly affected by Cyclone Freddy in Namitangurine. The group later held talks with the Office of the Secretary of State in Quelimane. In , Quelimane, Cyclone Freddy resulted in the loss of lives, massively destroyed infrastructure, displacement, and affected the livelihoods of local people. Some of the displaced persons remain in camps. The Government, in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations and UN agencies such as UN-Habitat, have been leading efforts towards reconstructing houses, schools and hospitals destroyed or affected by the Cyclone.

While in Malawi , the team visited Lilongwe, where officials from the  Department of Disaster Management Affairs  (DODMA) and the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs  received the joint assessment team. The group additionally held intensive discussions with various clusters that participated in response to Cyclone Freddy. The delegation also visited the City of Blantyre and engaged officials from the Blantyre City Council and districts affected by the Cyclone, including Nsanje.

The assessment identified important b est practices . In Madagascar, d ecentralisation of disaster risk management down to local level enabled the government to respond swiftly, hence minimised losses. The BNGRC also utilises internal resources to support disaster risk management activities. Madagascar also utilised its burst experience and expertise in managing cyclones, wildfires, droughts and floods to quick activate its emergency command systems. Similar decentralisation of disaster risk management in Mozambique, and Malawi was commended for its effectiveness in responding to the cyclone at local level. In Mozambique, the INDG has assets and staff deployed at provincial level, enabling to quickly mobilise national assets in response to disasters. the INGD reach also reaches the grassroots level. In Blantyre, the City Council quickly reviewed its master plan, taking into account new hazards, such as landslides.

Effective d isaster risk communication helped minimised the impact of the cyclone.  In Mozambique, alerts were reported about the oncoming Cyclone reaching 3.8 million people in the affected provinces. Also, the Disaster Risk Reduction agencies and organisations cited the references to the regular outlooks produced by the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) that advise approaches to disaster risk reduction planning. In Malawi a community in Quelimane moved to safer grounds that were previously identified before the cyclone. Therefore, there was no relocation in the community this year after Cyclone Freddy made landfall in the area.

The three countries made important progress in strengthen risk governance. Having experienced frequent cyclones, Mozambique reviewed it national disaster risk management policy and strategy, guided by the  Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 , and made the BNGRC became a public structure in 2019.  Malawi has reinforced its Disaster Risk Management Department (DRMD) with new Bill, which empowers the department to deploy the nation’s resources to protect lives and livelihood.

International cooperation and good neighbourliness that was demonstrated by African countries and international partners are important lessons that should ne up scaled. The Mozambicans along the border with Malawi were housed in camps on the Malawi side, and the Government of Malawi supported them until their repatriation to Mozambique.Similarly Mozambique provided relief to Malawi despite having been hit by Cyclone Freddy too.

The joint assessment recommended series of action that should be undertaken to support recovery efforts. These include, deployment of recovery experts to support the affected states in their recovery efforts, prioritise support to the most affected provinces through existing continental initiatives such as Africa Urban Resilience Programme and Africa Multi-hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) Programme.

The joint assessment team is finalizing a full report, which will be shared with the three countries in the coming weeks.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Gatkuoth Kai | Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, | E-mail: [email protected] | WhatsApp: +251 909537884

For media enquiry:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate | African Union Commission|+251-911-630 631; [email protected]

Ms . Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AU Commission. Email: [email protected] Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: [email protected] I

Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

43244-pr-PR-_lessons_learnt_from_tropical_cyclone_.pdf

Department Resources

• Key Documents
• All Documents

Supply Chain Management Division Operations Support Services Directorate

The African Union Commission (AUC) envisions “an integrated continent that is politically united based on the ideals of Pan Africanism an

Highlights of the cooperation with the GIZ-project “Support to the African Union on Migration and Displacement”

Violent extremism is a global issue.

Agenda 2063 is Africa’s development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development over a 50-year period.

African Digital Compact (ADC)

Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy

How Tropical Cyclone Freddy became one of the most energetic, long-lasting storms on record

On February 6, Tropical Cyclone (TC) Freddy was named off the West Australian coast before strengthening rapidly and heading west over open waters.

Key points:

• TC Freddy, which formed off Australia, is one of the most energetic cyclones in recorded history
• Meteorologists consider its long-lasting path to southern Africa to be "remarkable"
• La Niña, a second cyclone and radical steering winds, is likely to have played a role in extending its life

Thirty-six days later it was still going, becoming one of the most energetic and long-lasting cyclones in history.

"We never thought it was going to turn into the event that it has, back in early February," the Bureau of Meteorology's Craig Earl-Spurr said.

The deadly storm system traversed the entire Indian Ocean, travelling more than 8,000 kilometres and devastating Southern Africa as it barrelled over Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique.

Freddy became one of the most energetic storms on record by measure of its wind strength over its lifetime — known as accumulated cyclone energy.

It rapidly intensified several times, and could end up the longest-lasting cyclone in recorded history.

This is under assessment by the World Meteorological Organization, with the current record of 31 days set by Hurricane John in 1994.

So what gave it so much stamina and strength?

Fuelled by westerly track

Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre La Réunion head of operations Sébastien Langlade said one of the key reasons it maintained its strength was its westerly track, which helped keep TC Freddy over warmer waters.

"What happens usually is the system tracks toward [the south] where the waters are not warm enough and where the atmospheric conditions become hostile," he said.

"But this was not the case this time.

"The system was embedded within an environment that prevented him from going too far to the south and losing the warm waters."

Dr Langlade said this had only happened twice before in the Indian Ocean.

Intense TC Leon-Eline made its way from north-west Australia to southern Africa during February, 2000, while Intense TC Hudah later that year also traversed the entire Indian Ocean.

Like Freddy, these two cyclones occurred in a La Niña year.

A possible La Niña influence

Dr Langlade said La Niña was known to favour the track of tropical cyclones oriented toward the west.

"And even though La Niña is off now, it was the case during the last month and the two previous tropical cyclone seasons," he said.

"And we observed several westward tracks [of cyclones].

"But the example of Freddy is an extreme one."

Dr Langlade said it was also possible another tropical cyclone, Dingani, which was in the southern Indian Ocean at the time, "indirectly" influenced Freddy's path to the west.

"It's possible that we had an indirect influence of Dingani that created a strengthening of the sub-tropical ridge to the east of Dingani and kept Freddy on a westward track all the way through the Indian Ocean," he said.

But like many other aspects of Freddy, he said, it would need further research to know for sure.

Prolonged by 'radical' looping path

Dr Langlade said the erratic path of TC Freddy when it reached the Mozambique channel also extended its life considerably.

It was during this period of the cyclone that it was most destructive, barrelling over south-eastern Africa twice.

Hundreds of people were killed as it made impact, with reports whole villages were washed away without a trace.

On February 21 the system made landfall over Madagascar and continued westward, striking Mozambique on February 24.

It then looped back into the Mozambique channel and redeveloped.

Freddy then completed a third U-turn toward the Mozambique coast, where it struck for a second time.

"This part of the track is something that is quite unusual," Dr Langlade said.

"What we have seen is that the steering flow, which drives the track of the cyclone, shift radically over a couple of days."

Dr Langlade said the rapid change in direction extended the duration of the cyclone's life by about 10 days.

"It was like Freddy and Freddy 2.0," he said

"And, unfortunately, we found a case of a rare and extreme event that affected the most vulnerable people on the planet."

Climate change links unclear

Dr Langlade said the length and strength of TC Freddy was truly "remarkable" and warranted further research, especially in regards to any links to climate change.

"There is a question of how this kind of motion could be more frequent in a warmer climate in the future, and if it's linked to climate change or not," he said.

CSIRO climate scientist Kathleen McInnes authored the latest IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere , which looked into the way tropical cyclones could be attributed to climate change.

She said the cyclone's strength was consistent with trends of climate change.

"In general, there is a consensus that there will be fewer cyclones but once they've formed they can potentially be stronger," Dr McInnes said.

But Dr McInnes said it was less clear how climate change might have played a role in TC Freddy's longevity.

"It's a long track and I don't believe it was a fast moving cyclone, so that is kind of consistent with some early findings that have been [made] that cyclones may be slower under climate change," she said.

"But I think it's a bit too early to say anything."

Dr McInnes said in the months to years ahead there would be "a lot of research" on TC Freddy and its various attributes and characteristics in the context of the changing climate and changing ocean conditions.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Cyclone freddy survivors describe 'coffins lined up' and whole villages washed away.

• Climate Change

Search form

Mozambique: tropical cyclone freddy, floods and cholera - situation report no.4, attachments.

This report is produced by OCHA Mozambique in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period 29 April until the 16 May 2023.

Over one million people have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy, floods, and cholera. Since the beginning of the rainy/cyclonic season, 1.4 million people have been affected by natural disasters with 314 deaths; 1,043 schools destroyed, affecting about 1.2 million students, and 133,979 hectares of land lost.

An estimated 480,593 people have received some form of assistance in areas affected by Cyclone Freddy, floods and cholera. In the worse affected districts, a quarter of the people targeted have received direct humanitarian assistance, including in Mutarara district that has become accessible.

The short cycle planting season that begins in May provides an opportunity for people to resume their livelihoods by September.

Cholera cases continue to be reported. As of 16 May, 30,509 cases were reported across ten provinces.

The Cholera, Cyclone and Floods Response Plan was launched to support 815,000 people affected by the triple crisis, with a financial requirement of US $138 million. As of 16 May the plan has received $10.8 million.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

As of 16 May, 480,593 people have been reached with some form of assistance by over 44 humanitarian partners working across eight provinces and 80 districts. About 263,019 people have been reached with direct humanitarian assistance. In Zambezia province, the most affected by the triple crisis of cyclone Freddy, floods and cholera, 216,347 people have been reached with humanitarian assistance, out of a total caseload of 501,975 people. The latest information on the response, including the 5Ws response dashboard by district can be found here: https://response.reliefweb.int/mozambique . Cholera cases continue to be reported. As of 16 May, health authorities have reported 30,509 cumulative cases of cholera in 10 provinces of the country, with 131 deaths. The National Institute for Disaster Reduction and Risk Management (INGD) reports that as of 15 May, 17 accommodation centres hosting approximately 40,000 remain open in Niassa (5) and Tete (12). There has been a rise in food insecurity, with an estimated 3.15 million people experiencing severe acute food insecurity - i.e. IPC Phase 3 and above. Since the beginning of the rainy/cyclonic season, 1.4 million people have been affected by natural disasters with 314 deaths. A total of 133,979 hectares of land were lost. In addition, 1,043 schools were destroyed, affecting about 1.2 million students. Across the 10 most vulnerable districts in the provinces of Sofala (Caia, Cheringoma), Tete (Cidade de Tete, Doa, Mutarara) and Zambezia (Cidade de Quelimane, Inhassunge, Maganja da costa, Namacurra, Nicoadala), approximately 120,750 people, 25 per cent of the targeted population in these districts, have received direct humanitarian assistance. The district of Mutarara has become accessible. As recovery efforts to assist the communities in rebuilding their lives are multifaceted and will require time; in the meantime, humanitarian partners will focus on addressing most urgent life-saving needs. The Cholera, Cyclone and Floods Response Plan was launched to support 815,000 people affected by the triple crisis, with a financial requirement of U$138 million. Humanitarian needs outstrip the capacity of humanitarian organizations to respond. Without immediate additional resources, humanitarian partners will be forced to make impossible choices, and hundreds of thousands of people may not receive the assistance they need to survive. Urgent contributions are sought to support people affected by cholera, Cyclone and Floods. Sectors seek funding to replenish loans that enabled the immediate start of the response at the outset of the emergency. According to the Financial Tracking System (FTS), as of 16 May the Cholera, Cyclone and Floods Response Plan is eight per cent funded, having received $10.8 million.

Southern Africa: Cyclone Freddy aftermath brings diseases, healthcare gaps

Facebook Twitter Print Email

Southern African countries hit hard by tropical Cyclone Freddy are reeling from disease outbreaks, with health services stretched to the limit, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

The devastation caused by the cyclone in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique has increased the spread of cholera and malaria, as well as malnutrition.

Meanwhile, more than 300 health facilities have been destroyed or flooded in the three countries, limiting health care access.

The cyclone’s destruction increased public health risks including a surge in the spread of cholera, malaria, malnutrition, COVID-19 , and other vaccine-treatable diseases.

World Health Organization (WHO) March 23, 2023

WHO said that Malawi was still in the midst of its “worst-ever” cholera outbreak, although cases are declining. In Mozambique, cholera cases have more than doubled over the past week, to almost 2,400 .

“ With a double landfall in less than a month, the impact of Cyclone Freddy is immense and deepfelt ”, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

“While we work to understand the full extent of the devastation, our priority is to ensure that affected communities and families receive health assistance for immediate needs as well as to limit the risks of water-borne diseases and other infections spreading,”

Helping communities prepare for climatic hazards

Overall, flooding, and torrential rains have affected more than 1.4 million people in the three countries. WHO and partners are providing support in the form of cholera treatment centers, medical supplies, and health worker training.

WHO has provided U$7.9 million and sent over 60 experts to the affected countries to assist with the emergency response.

Around 184 tons of important medical supplies have been shipped to support the cyclone and cholera emergency response. In Malawi, WHO has redistributed cholera response operation centres to hotspot districts, to help disease control efforts.

“With the rise in climate-related health emergencies in Africa, it’s clear that more needs to be done to bolster preparedness to climatic hazards so that communities can better cope with the impacts of the devastating natural disasters,” said Dr Moeti.

The cholera outbreaks are currently affecting 14 African countries and are being made worse by extreme climate events and conflicts that leave countries more vulnerable. Many people have been forced to flee their homes, to face uncertain living conditions.

• Cyclone Freddy

Cyclone Freddy concludes unusual 5,000-mile, 19-day journey across Indian Ocean with rare Africa landfall

In terms of accumulated cyclone energy, or ace – an integrated metric that accounts for the frequency, intensity and duration of tropical cyclones – freddy is now the all-time record holder for the southern hemisphere..

Waves, heavy rain from Cyclone Freddy near southern Africa

Waves and heavy rain from Cyclone Freddy took over beach shelters on the island of Mauritius on Monday. Freddy is expected to make landfall in Madagascar this week. (Credit: @Hastobesaid2/ Weather Tracker/TMX)

Cyclone Freddy traveled nearly 5,000 miles across the southern Indian Ocean – one of the longest tropical cyclone tracks on record in that ocean basin – and concluded its unusual 19-day journey as it made a rare landfall in southern Africa on Feb. 24.

While these types of storms are called tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans, they are called cyclones in the Indian Ocean .

5 DIFFERENT NAMES FOR HURRICANES AROUND THE WORLD

Cyclone Freddy turned deadly in Madagascar

Cyclone Freddy made its first landfall near Mananjary on the eastern coast of Madagascar during the late-morning hours on Feb. 21 (U.S. time). A forecast advisory issued by the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) about an hour before Freddy moved onshore indicated the tropical cyclone had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .

According to the Associated Press , Cyclone Freddy was blamed for the deaths of four people in Madagascar. Freddy's torrential rain and powerful winds pummeled portions of the island nation, where nearly 5,000 homes were damaged and more than 16,000 people were left displaced, the AP reported.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Cyclone Freddy peaked at Category 5 intensity

Cyclone Freddy peaked at Category 5 hurricane-equivalent intensity during the weekend of Feb. 18-19 as it tracked across the southern Indian Ocean.

NOAA's historical hurricane tracks database indicated that Freddy was only the 20th tropical cyclone to reach Category 5 status in the South Indian Ocean since 1989. That's an average of approximately one Category 5 cyclone every two years in that ocean basin.

Cyclone Freddy later made rare landfall in southern Africa

After moving across the island of Madagascar, Freddy emerged over the Mozambique Channel and continued to move westward toward Mozambique.

Cyclone Freddy then made its second landfall in the Mozambique coastal town of Vilanculos on the morning of Feb. 24 (U.S. time), with maximum sustained winds estimated at about 70 mph, according to the AP. That's equivalent in strength to a high-end tropical storm .

This landfall was quite rare because less than 5% of southern Indian Ocean tropical cyclones make landfall on the eastern coast of southern Africa, according to a study published in the journal Weather and Forecasting in October 2004 .

Torrential rain brought a flood danger to Mozambique, southern Africa

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Cyclone Freddy dumped "dangerous and exceptional rainfall levels" in Mozambique and neighboring portions of southern Africa, including Zimbabwe and northeastern South Africa.

Torrential rain had threatened to bring dangerous flash flooding and landslides to those areas, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain.

"There is a potential risk that months' worth of rainfall may fall in the space of a few days, causing widespread flooding in an area which already has saturated soils and high river basin levels from unusually heavy seasonal rains," the WMO warned in a statement.

WATER FROM HURRICANES, TROPICAL STORMS KILLS MORE IN U.S. THAN WIND

Tropical Cyclone Freddy brings strong winds to Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Freddy delivers intense wind and rain to the island of Mauritius as the storm barrels toward Madagascar. Swells higher than 20 feet have been reported near the island. (Credit: @mikaelbaden / WEATHER TRAKER /TMX)

Freddy was among the longest-lived tropical cyclones on record

The origins of Cyclone Freddy began on Feb. 6, when it developed off the coast of southern Indonesia. It then traveled across the entire southern Indian Ocean – a journey of nearly 5,000 miles – over a period of 19 days.

According to NOAA's historical hurricane tracks database , there has only been one other Category 1-equivalent or stronger tropical cyclone in the southern Indian Ocean to make the entire journey from near Indonesia all the way to Madagascar: Cyclone Eline/Leone in February 2000 .

The nearly 5,000-mile-long journey of Cyclone Freddy across the southern Indian Ocean began off the coast of southern Indonesia on Feb. 6, 2023.

(FOX Weather)

In terms of Accumulated Cyclone Energy, or ACE – an integrated metric that accounts for the frequency, intensity and duration of tropical cyclones – Freddy is now the all-time record holder for the Southern Hemisphere.

According to Phil Klotzbach , a tropical weather expert at Colorado State University, Freddy surpassed the ACE of Cyclone Fantala in 2016, the previous Southern Hemisphere record holder.

Additionally, Cyclone Freddy generated the most ACE of any tropical cyclone on Earth since Hurricane/Typhoon Ioke in 2006 , which was a long-lived and intense storm that tracked across the Central and Western Pacific Ocean, peaking at Category 5 intensity during its 17-day journey .

Freddy's ACE even surpassed that of Hurricane Irma in 2017 , Klotzbach noted.

HOW MANY CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES HAVE MADE LANDFALL IN THE U.S.?

The only two Atlantic hurricanes with a higher lifetime ACE than Cyclone Freddy were Hurricane Three in 1899 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Tracking Tropical Cyclone Freddy

Meteorologists are tracking one of the strongest cyclones of the year in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone was visible from International Space Station.

• Extreme Weather
• World Regions

Second Answer

Third answer.

Ask Another Question

Follow class ace :.

Content Search

Mozambique + 1 more

Tropical cyclone Freddy causes floods, destruction, and death in Mozambique and Malawi

CARE is working with governments, partners, and leaders of impacted communities to provide emergency support for people affected.

On track to become the longest-lasting cyclone on record, Cyclone Freddy has caused havoc in Malawi and Mozambique. Mathew Pickard, CARE International Southern Africa Regional Director, described the main concerns now and how CARE and partners are working to provide emergency aid to the affected communities:

“Tropical Storm Freddy has brought with it devastating floods, destruction, and death in Mozambique and Malawi. Roads and bridges have been swept away cutting off communities from much-needed support. Houses and homes have been destroyed leaving families stranded and out in the cold. As rescue efforts continue, the death toll is anticipated to rise.

In Malawi, we are concerned about the immediate needs of affected people but also the resurgence of cholera. In Mozambique, where we were already responding to the effects of the cyclone making landfall on 24th February, the number of those in need will increase.

There is a need for urgent support to reach the affected. CARE is already working alongside the government and our local partners and community leaders. We have been distributing shelter kits in Mozambique. In Malawi we are distributing, materials for shelter construction, blankets, kitchen, and household utensils to the affected.”

Related Content

Malawi, africa | tropical cyclone freddy - emergency appeal - revised operational strategy (mdrmw018), mozambique - complex emergency and tropical cyclone fact sheet #1 fiscal year (fy) 2024, humanitarian action for children 2024 - malawi, mozambique humanitarian needs and response plan 2024 (december 2023) [en/pt].