2023 Africa floods explained

Duration: –
Type:Flood
Deaths:2,683
Houses-Destroyed:146,066
Injuries:2,158
Missing:2,658
Affected:Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe

From February to late-December 2023, floods killed over 2,600 people in 15 countries across Africa.

Background

Frequent heavy rains causing damage and casualties between March and May are common in East Africa – in May 2020 around 80 people were killed by floods in Rwanda. Floods and droughts have increased in Rwanda over a 30-year period.[1] Rwanda's weather authority attributes the unusual rainfall patterns to climate change.[2]

In 2023, several rounds of heavy rain saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Between January and April 2023, the Ministry of Emergency Management reported that weather-related disasters caused 60 fatalities, destroyed over 1,205 homes and damaged 5,000 acres of land across Rwanda. On 2 May, the Rwanda Meteorology Agency predicted above-average forecast rainfall for the next 10 days.[3] The Rwandan government previously asked residents living in wetlands and other dangerous areas to relocate.[4]

Uganda had also experienced heavy rain since March, which had caused landslides that destroyed homes and displaced hundreds of people.

Impact

Floods formed by various causes killed 1,216 people in Malawi, 552 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 198 in Mozambique, 186 in Kenya, 160 in Somalia, 135 in Rwanda, 95 in Tanzania, 40 in Madagascar, 29 in Ethiopia, 18 in Uganda, 15 in South Africa and another in Cameroon.

Algeria

In early September, floods caused by torrential rain killed at least eight people in western Algeria.[5]

Angola

In Angola, at least 20 people died and 2,900 homes were destroyed by flooding in April.[6]

Cameroon

One person died, five were injured and six were missing as a result of floods that struck Buea, Cameroon in March.[7]

Democratic Republic of the Congo

See also: 2023 African Great Lakes floods. On 3 April, a landslide killed 30 people and left several missing in North Kivu Province.[8] Another landslide hit North Kivu Province on 8 May, killing six and leaving dozens of miners missing.[9]

At least 440 people were killed and over 2,500 others were left missing by floods in the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo on 5 May.[10] [11] In response to the flooding, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi announced a national day of mourning for 8 May.[12] Two landslides hit North Kivu Province on 9 May, killing ten people in Lubero and at least six people at the Songambele mine, and leaving dozens of miners missing. 100 workers were at the mine at the time of the landslide.[13] [14]

Southeastern parts of the country were affected by flooding on 28 December, killing 60 people, leaving 16 others missing, destroying over 100 houses and damaging 1,400 others, mostly in the Bukavu area.[15]

Ethiopia

Floods affected parts of Ethiopia in March, killing 29 people and affecting 240,000 others.[16]

Kenya

Floods affected several regions of Kenya in late March, killing 12 people, injuring five and displacing 812 families.[17]

In April, four people died and around 36,400 people were affected by flooding in the west and northeast regions of Kenya.[18] [19]

Throughout November, the northern part of the country was affected by the worst flooding observed in Kenya for over a century. At least 170 people and tens of thousands of livestock were killed and over 600,000 others were displaced.[20]

Madagascar

See main article: Cyclone Cheneso and Cyclone Freddy. Cyclone Cheneso killed 33 people and left 20 missing in Madagascar, with many homes affected.[21]

At least 17 people died and three were missing due to floods caused by Cyclone Freddy.[22] [23] A total of 6,706 houses were destroyed by the cyclone.[24] [25]

Malawi

See main article: Cyclone Freddy. In March, the long-lived Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi, causing flooding which killed 1,216 people, including 537 missing and presumed dead,[26] injured 1,724 others[27] and affected over 500,000 residents in the country.[28]

Mozambique

See main article: Cyclone Freddy. Due to Cyclone Freddy, at least 198 people died[29] and 201 were injured by flooding in Mozambique.[30] At least 131,300 homes destroyed in the country.[31] [32]

Niger

Thirty-two people died, 30 were injured and 110,000 more were affected by floods caused by torrential rains between June and September.[33]

Rwanda

See main article: 2023 African Great Lakes floods. Heavy rain started around 16:00 UTC (6 p.m. local time) on 2 May 2023 and continued throughout the night, killing at least 135 people. The Sebeya River burst its banks. The most affected areas in Rwanda were Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Ngororero. More rainfall is expected during the rest of the month. According to François Habitegeko, the governor of Rwanda's western province, people were crushed by the collapse of several houses, and landslides made the main roads in the area impassable, along with flooded fields.[34] [35] 4,100 livestock were killed as well. Landslides and flooding destroyed 26 bridges and 17 roads, five health centers, two health posts, and a hospital. 5,100 homes were destroyed and an additional 2,500 were damaged.[36] Rwanda's public broadcaster RBA stated that the number of casualties may increase as floodwaters continue to rise.[2]

Sierra Leone

A storm brought heavy rain from 9 to 10 May, which caused floods and mudslides that killed at least seven people in the capital Freetown.[37]

Somalia

In Somalia, hundreds of homes were damaged and there were 20 deaths (including a mother and her two children),[38] two injuries and 8,000 people were affected due to floods in Bardhere District on March 24.[39]

Flooding in May killed an additional 22 people and over 460,000 people were affected.[40]

Throughout October and November, floods killed 118 people, damaged 224 schools and displaced 1.2 million people across the country.[41]

South Africa

See main article: 2023 South Africa floods. There were 15 deaths and four missing in eastern South Africa due to floods that lasted from February to March.[42]

Tanzania

In April 2023, seven people died, six were missing, 1,400 were displaced and 60 houses were destroyed by floods in Rukwa.[43] In December 2023, dozens were killed in floods.[44] The floods affected the Hanang region.[45]

In early December, floods and landslides in Hanang District killed 88 people, injured 139 others, damaged or destroyed 1,245 houses, and affected 10,090 people.[46] [47]

Uganda

See main article: 2023 African Great Lakes floods. At least 23 people were killed,[48] [49] including five from a landslide, three were injured and three were left missing by floods in Uganda. Many houses were damaged or destroyed in the country.[50]

Zimbabwe

See main article: Cyclone Freddy. Two people were killed in Zimbabwe after Cyclone Freddy hit the country.[51]

Aftermath

Rwanda

Marie-Solange Kayisire, the Minister of Emergency Management, said that relief efforts started immediately. However, continued disruptions by heavy rain hampered efforts to help bury victims of the flooding disaster and providing supplies to victims whose homes were inundated.[52] The Rwanda Meteorological Agency warned that additional rainfall is likely.[53] According to Francois Habitegeko, some people were rescued and transported to hospitals. The Red Cross assisted with relief efforts. Marie-Solange Kayisire, the minister in charge of the emergency department, called on local residents to increase patrols and law enforcement.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rwanda . Climate Knowledge Portal Worldbank . 5 May 2023 . 5 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505192742/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/rwanda/vulnerability . live .
  2. News: 3 May 2023 . Rwanda floods and landslides kill more than 100 people . en-GB . . 3 May 2023 . 9 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509084725/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65469374 . live .
  3. Web site: Nkurunziza . Michel . 3 May 2023 . Over 100 dead as rain ravages Northern, Western provinces . 3 May 2023 . The New Times . en . 11 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511065136/https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/7168/news/environment/over-100-dead-as-rain-ravages-northern-western-provinces . live .
  4. Web site: 3 May 2023 . Floods from heavy rainfall kill at least 129 in Rwanda . 3 May 2023 . . Ignatius . Ssuuna . en . 11 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511203230/https://apnews.com/article/rwanda-deadly-floods-109-killed-868f117db85661a73f6d0f532e2b8451 . live .
  5. Web site: Algeria: Eight killed by floods in northwest Algeria . 4 September 2023 . 7 September 2023 . 7 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907203524/https://north-africa.com/algeria-eight-killed-by-floods-in-northwest-algeria/ . live .
  6. Web site: Angola – Thousands of Homes Damaged or Destroyed After Days of Heavy Rain. 21 April 2023. 5 May 2023. floodlist.com. 8 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508160634/https://floodlist.com/africa/angola-floods-april-2023. live.
  7. Web site: Cameroon – Severe Floods Hit Buea, South West Region. 19 March 2023. 8 May 2023. floodlist.com. 8 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508141154/https://floodlist.com/africa/cameroon-floods-south-west-region-march-2023. live.
  8. Web site: 30 dead, several missing in eastern DRC landslide. 3 April 2023. 8 May 2023. Anadolu Agency. James Tasamba. 8 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508124745/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/30-dead-several-missing-in-eastern-drc-landslide/2862423. live.
  9. Web site: DR Congo – Many Feared Missing After Landslide in North Kivu. 9 May 2023. 9 May 2023. floodlist.com. 9 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230509115605/https://floodlist.com/africa/dr-congo-landslide-north-kivu-may-2023. live.
  10. Web site: UNICEF DRC Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1 (Flooding in Kalehe Territory): 13 May 2023. 15 May 2023. 15 May 2023. Reliefweb. 21 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230521133055/https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/unicef-drc-humanitarian-situation-report-no-1-flooding-kalehe-territory-13-may-2023. live.
  11. Web site: At least 176 people killed in eastern DR Congo floods. Al Jazeera. 5 May 2023. 5 May 2023. 9 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230509185742/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/5/at-least-72-bodies-recovered-in-flooded-villages-in-east-dr-congo. live.
  12. Web site: 7 May 2023 . DR Congo floods death toll surpasses 400 . 8 May 2023 . Al Jazeera . 9 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509021142/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/7/dr-congo-floods-death-toll-surpasses-200 . live .
  13. Web site: DR Congo – Many Feared Missing After Landslide in North Kivu. 9 May 2023. floodlist.com.
  14. Web site: At least 16 people killed in multiple landslides in eastern DRC . 19 May 2023 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  15. Web site: Democratic Republic of the Congo - Floods (DG ECHO, NOAA-CPC, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 3 January 2024). 3 January 2024. 15 February 2024. Reliefweb.
  16. Web site: Ethiopia – 240,000 Impacted by Heavy Rains and Floods, 29 Dead, Says UN. 4 April 2023. 8 May 2023. floodlist.com. 8 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508151303/https://floodlist.com/africa/ethiopia-floods-march-april-2023. live.
  17. Web site: Kenya – Fatalities and Evacuations After Floods in Several Regions. 1 May 2023. 5 May 2023. floodlist.com. 7 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230507200213/https://floodlist.com/africa/kenya-floods-march-2023. live.
  18. Web site: Kenya – More Fatalities After Floods in South. 4 April 2023. 5 May 2023. floodlist.com. 5 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230505174618/https://floodlist.com/africa/kenya-more-fatalities-after-floods-in-south. live.
  19. Web site: Kenya – Floods Displace Thousands of Households in Mandera and Kisumu. 1 May 2023. 5 May 2023. floodlist.com. 8 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508094730/https://floodlist.com/africa/kenya-floods-kisumu-mandera-april-2023. live.
  20. Web site: Associated Press. With a rising death toll, Kenya's military evacuates people from flood-hit areas. NPR. 14 December 2023. 15 February 2024.
  21. Web site: 30 January 2023 . Flooding, landslides from tropical storm Cheneso causes nearly 30 deaths, leaves 20 missing in Madagascar . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131084423/https://www.foxnews.com/world/flooding-landslides-tropical-storm-cheneso-30-deaths-leaves-20-missing-madagascar . 31 January 2023 . 31 January 2023 . Associated Press . en-US.
  22. Web site: Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Freddy – Flash Update No. 7 (14 March 2023) . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314105418/https://reliefweb.int/attachments/15294381-e694-44c8-a2ae-5b421b025ce0/ROSEA_20230314_SouthernAfrica_CycloneFreddy_FlashUpdate_7.pdf . 14 March 2023 . live . United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs . ReliefWeb . 14 March 2023.
  23. Web site: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. ReliefWeb. 15 March 2023. 19 March 2023. Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique Tropical Cyclone Freddy – DG ECHO Daily Map 15/03/2023. 16 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230316110855/https://reliefweb.int/attachments/f8c063bb-6c2b-408f-8333-5dd5ca06f269/ECDM_20230315_TC_FREDDY_update.pdf. live.
  24. Web site: Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Freddy - Flash Update No. 6 (10 March 2023) – Mozambique . 10 March 2023 . reliefweb.int . 10 March 2023 . en . live . 10 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230310142344/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-freddy-flash-update-no-6-10-march-2023 .
  25. News: 22 February 2023 . Winds lash Madagascar's coast as Cyclone Freddy makes landfall . en-GB . BBC News . 22 February 2023 . 22 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222013153/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64727392 . live .
  26. News: Xinhua News Agency . 5 May 2023 . 30 April 2023 . 1 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230501011617/https://english.news.cn/africa/20230428/35641bb8d36b46b097accd69b7e0fdd9/c.html . live .
  27. News: Phiri . Frank . Mucari . Manuel . 15 March 2023 . Malawi, Mozambique race to rescue survivors as cyclone toll rises above 270 . en . Reuters . live . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315133457/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/malawis-death-toll-cyclone-freddy-rises-225-2023-03-15/ . 15 March 2023.
  28. Web site: McBRAMS . Jack . Cyclone Freddy Affects 500,000 People In Malawi: UN . 2023-03-17 . www.barrons.com . en-US . 17 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317224440/https://www.barrons.com/articles/the-inefficient-markets-hypothesis-reigns-banking-crisis-svb-f23f1bb?jsondata=r . live .
  29. Web site: WFP Mozambique External Situation Report #8 (23 March 2023) – Mozambique . 2023-03-24 . reliefweb.int . 24 March 2023 . en . 24 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230324163617/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/wfp-mozambique-external-situation-report-8-23-march-2023 . live .
  30. Web site: Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Freddy – Flash Update No. 7 (14 March 2023) – Mozambique . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314105407/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-freddy-flash-update-no-7-14-march-2023 . 14 March 2023 . 14 March 2023 . reliefweb.int . 14 March 2023 . en.
  31. Web site: WFP Mozambique External Situation Report #6 (15 March 2023) – Mozambique . 2023-03-16 . reliefweb.int . 16 March 2023 . en . 16 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316201549/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/wfp-mozambique-external-situation-report-6-15-march-2023 . live .
  32. Web site: Mozambique – Thousands Displaced as Cyclone Freddy Brings Flooding Rain – FloodList . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230228222015/https://floodlist.com/africa/mozambique-floods-cyclone-freddy-february-2023 . 28 February 2023 . 28 February 2023 . floodlist.com.
  33. Web site: Deadly floods exacerbate Niger crises . September 2023 . 7 September 2023 . 7 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907210901/https://www.cajnewsafrica.com/2023/09/01/deadly-floods-exacerbate-niger-crises/ . live .
  34. Web site: 3 May 2023 . Over 100 killed in Rwanda floods . 3 May 2023 . . en . 3 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503154013/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/over-100-killed-in-rwanda-floods-4221646 . live .
  35. Web site: Rwanda – Dozens Dead After Floods and Landslides in Western and Northern Provinces – FloodList . 3 May 2023 . floodlist.com . 10 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510102202/https://floodlist.com/africa/rwanda-floods-may-2023 . live .
  36. Web site: May 4, 2023 . Rwanda Floods Kill 130, Destroy Over 5,000 Houses . . Reuters . 5 May 2023 . 9 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509210939/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-05-04/rwanda-floods-kill-130-destroy-over-5-000-houses . live .
  37. Web site: Sierra Leone – 7 Fatalities After Floods Hit Freetown. Richrad Davies. floodlist.com. 11 May 2023. 11 May 2023. 11 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230511062804/https://floodlist.com/africa/sierra-leone-floods-freetown-may-2023. live.
  38. Web site: Baardheere: Dad ku dhintay daadad & Fatahaad uu sameeyay Webiga Jubba. so. 24 March 2023. 8 May 2023. 9 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230509134925/https://horseedmedia.net/baardheere-dad-ku-dhintay-daadad-fatahaad-uu-sameeyay-webiga-jubba-378355. live.
  39. Web site: Somalia – 20 Killed in Jubaland Flash Floods. 3 May 2023. 27 March 2023. floodlist.com. 10 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230510220713/https://floodlist.com/africa/somalia-jubaland-floods-march-2023. live.
  40. Web site: 22 people killed in Somalia floods. 14 May 2023. 14 May 2023. The Guardian. 14 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230514150751/https://guardian.ng/news/22-people-killed-in-somalia-floods/. live.
  41. Web site: Somalia: 2023 Deyr Season Floods Situation Report No. 5 (As of 24 December 2023). 26 December 2023. 15 February 2024. Reliefweb.
  42. News: Girinema . Philbert . 3 May 2023 . Heavy rain, floods kill at least 109 in Rwanda, six in Uganda . en . . 3 May 2023 . 8 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230508222331/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/floods-heavy-rains-kill-least-55-rwanda-state-broadcaster-2023-05-03/ . live .
  43. Web site: Tanzania – Floods Destroy Homes in 3 Regions, 7 Fatalities Reported. 14 April 2023. 5 May 2023. floodlist.com. 5 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230505202702/https://floodlist.com/africa/tanzania-floods-april-2023. live.
  44. Web site: 2023-12-04 . Authorities say heavy rains and landslides in Tanzania kill at least 47 and hurt or strand many more . 2023-12-04 . Yahoo News . en-GB.
  45. News: 2023-12-03 . Tanzania floods: Dozens killed in floods and landslides in northern Hanang region . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-12-04.
  46. Web site: Tanzania: Heavy Rains and Flooding Flash Update No. 2, 12 December 2023. 12 December 2023. 15 February 2024. Reliefweb.
  47. Web site: Tanzania – Over 40 Dead After Floods and Landslides in Hanang District. 4 December 2023. 15 February 2024. floodlist.com.
  48. Web site: ECHO Daily Map of 17 May 2023. 17 May 2023 - Uganda - Floods and landslides.. Emergency Response Coordination Centre. 17 May 2023. 18 May 2023. 13 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211113003935/https://erccportal.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ECHO-Products/Maps#/maps/4495. live.
  49. Web site: Caroline Kimeu. More than 400 people now confirmed dead after flooding in DRC. 9 May 2023. 9 May 2023. The Guardian. 9 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230509160557/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/09/confirmed-dead-flooding-drc-democratic-republic-congo. live.
  50. Web site: Uganda – Deadly Floods and Landslides in Kasese, Mbale and Rukungiri. 3 May 2023. 5 May 2023. floodlist.com. 10 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230510093847/https://floodlist.com/africa/uganda-floods-kasese-mbale-rukungiri-april-2023. live.
  51. Web site: Cyclone Freddy claims 2 lives in Manicaland – Zimbabwe Situation . 28 February 2023 . 28 February 2023 . en-US . 28 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230228085821/https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/cyclone-freddy-claims-2-lives-in-manicaland/ . live .
  52. Web site: 3 May 2023 . Flooding, landslides kill over 100 people in Rwanda . 3 May 2023 . . en . 9 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509220719/https://www.dw.com/en/flooding-landslides-kill-over-100-people-in-rwanda/a-65502678 . live .
  53. Web site: 3 May 2023 . Over 100 dead as heavy rainfall triggers devastating floods in Rwanda . 3 May 2023 . . en . 9 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509204445/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/over-100-dead-as-heavy-rainfall-triggers-devastating-floods-in-rwanda-101683118535675.html . live .

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