Overall Red alert Tropical Cyclone for IDAI-19
in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands

Event summary

Tropical Cyclone IDAI-19 can have a high humanitarian impact based on the maximum sustained wind speed, exposed population and vulnerability.

GDACS ID TC 1000552
Name IDAI-19
Glide number: TC-2019-000021-MOZ
From - To 09 Mar - 15 Mar
Exposed countries Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Miscellaneous (French) Indian Ocean Islands
Exposed population 1.9 million in Category 1 or higher
Maximum wind speed 194 km/h Category 3
Maximum storm surge 2 m (14 Mar 19:00 UTC)
Vulnerability High (Mozambique)

GDACS Score

For more info on GDACS alert score click here.
Wind Storm surge Rainfall GDACS score
GDACS JTWC 167 km/h 2.3 m n.a. 2.5
Single TC: maximum expected impact (wind, storm surge, rainfall)
HWRF 212 km/h 4.1 m n.a. 2.5
GFS 173 km/h 2.9 m 1098 mm 0.5
ECMWF 176 km/h 3.1 m 1256 mm 0.5
Maximum expected impact (wind, storm surge and rainfall) using different data sources.
Virtual OSOCC
Meteo assessment
Satellite products
Analytical products
IDAI-19 - Copernicus EMS activation (EMSR349)Mon, 18 Mar 2019 02:45

EMSR349: Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated
IDAI-19 - Copernicus EMS activation (EMSR348)Fri, 15 Mar 2019 12:00

EMSR348: Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated
Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 11 Apr 2019)Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:59

  • In Mozambique, the death toll stands at 602. As of 10 April, UN OCHA confirms 3 577 cases of cholera and 7 124 of malaria. At least 745 609 people have been vaccinated, 389 632 in Beira, 44 544 in Buzi, 149 416 in Dondo and 162 017 in Nhamatanda. More than 756 200 people have received food assistance. 
  • In Zimbabwe, 299 people are dead, more than 186 injured and 270 000 people have been affected. At least 30 000 people have received food assistance and 43 000 access to clean water. 
  • In Malawi, 59 people are dead, 672 injured and 87 000 displaced in emergency centres. 
  • The European Commission allocated a total amount of EUR 15.75 million for the humanitarian assistance: EUR 9.25 million to Mozambique, EUR 4.5 million to Zimbabwe and EUR 2 million to Malawi. 
  • A European Civil Protection Team is in Beira providing logistical support to EU Member States providing clean water, communications support and healthcare to those affected.
Mozambique - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 04 Apr 2019)Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:05

  • As of 3 April, the death toll stands at 598 and 1 600 injured. The number of cholera cases has increased to 1 428, of which 1 218 in Beira (with one dead), 66 in Dondo (with one dead) and 144 in Nhamatanda.
  • The vaccination campaign has been launched with 900 000 cholera vaccines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 11 Cholera Treatment Centres.
  • At least 131 000 are displaced in 136 sites in Sofala (109 199 people), Manica (14 047), Zambezia (5 235) and Tete (2 655). In addition, 62 153 houses have been totally destroyed, 33 139 partially and 15 784 flooded.
  • The EU Civil Protection Team of 11 experts from seven EU Member States (Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and Slovenia) continues to support the coordination of relief operations in Mozambique. More than 100 additional specialists from at least 16 countries are supporting the humanitarian response.
  • Over the next 24 hours, weather conditions are expected to improve over Tete, Zambézia, Manica and Sofala provinces.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service has published 33 satellite maps for Mozambique (EMSR348).
Mozambique - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 03 Apr 2019)Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:02

  • As of 2 April, the death toll in Mozambique stands at 518 and at least 146 000 people are sheltered in 155 sites across Sofala (116 237 people), Manica (14 047), Zambezia (13 203) and Tete (2 655). 59 910 houses have been reported totally destroyed, 33 925 partially destroyed and 15 784 flooded.
  • According to UN OCHA, as of 1 April, more than 1 000 cases of cholera and one death have been reported. The World Health Organisation has confirmed the arrival of 884 953 doses of cholera vaccine to support the humanitarian response in Beira.
  • An Epidemiologist from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has arrived in Mozambique to reinforce the EU Civil Protection Team with medical expertise given the evolving cholera risk. 
  • EU national response teams, facilitated through the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, continue to provide medical treatment, clean water and communications support to communities in Beira, Dondo and Buzi. 
  • Over the next 24 hours, moderate rainfall is forecast over Tete, Zambézia, Manica and Sofala provinces.
Mozambique - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 02 Apr 2019)Tue, 02 Apr 2019 12:59

  • The death toll in Mozambique has risen to 518, as of 1 April. 1 052 cholera cases have also been confirmed in three districts, 959 in Beira (one death), 87 in Nhamatanda and six in Dondo. The cholera vaccination campaign due to start on 3 April will target Beira, Buzi, Nhamatanda and Dondo. 11 cholera treatment centres will manage the response; nine are already operational in Beira and other areas.
  • At least 146 000 people are displaced in 155 sites across Sofala (116 237 people), Manica (14 047), Zambezia (13 203) and Tete (2 655). The number of destroyed properties has risen to 59 910, 33 925 partially destroyed and 15 784 flooded.
  • An EU Civil Protection Team of 13 experts has been in Mozambique since 23 March. The team is operating between Maputo and Beira where it is liaising closely with the EU Delegation in Maputo, the national authorities, humnaitarian partners and coordinating the incoming assistance from EU Member States into Beira. 
  • The World Food Programme (WFP) provided food for 56 000 people in Manica Province, while the municipal authorities have restored the water supply for Beira city, with the help of health partners.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 29 Mar 2019)Fri, 29 Mar 2019 11:04

  • According to UN OCHA as of 28 March, five cases of cholera and 2 500 cases of acute watery diarrhoea have been confirmed in Beira, Mozambique. The death toll is now 468 and 136 000 people are still displaced in 161 sites in Sofala (119), Manica (27), Zambezia (11) and Tete (4).
  • Four cholera treatment centres have been established in Beira, two in Dondo and one in Buzi.
  • In Zimbabwe, 181 people are dead, 330 are missing and 175 injured. At least 90 000 need emergency shelter and non-food items (NFIs). Three temporary camps have been established in Manicaland Province and distribution of food, NFIs and hygiene kits is ongoing. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has allocated USD 500 000 to support logistics and rehabilitation activities.
  • Over the next 24 hours, moderate rain is forecast in Beira, heavy rain and thunderstorms in central and northern Mozambique and moderate rain in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service has published 50 satellite maps, 31 for Mozambique (EMSR348) and 19 for Zimbabwe (EMR349).
Mozambique, Zimbabwe - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 28 Mar 2019)Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:04

  • In Mozambique, according to the last UN OCHA report, 468 people are dead and 1 522 injured. At least 129 000 are displaced in 158 centres in Sofala, Manica, Zambezia and Tete.
  • An increasing number of acute watery diarrhoea and malaria cases have been registered in Beira as well as a number of cholera cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing cholera vaccines, three cholera treatment centres and 80-bed treatment centre in Beira.
  • In Zimbabwe, 172 people are dead and 327 still missing.
  • An EU Civil Protection team of 12 experts from seven EU Member States (Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and Slovenia) is currently operating between Maputo and Beira to facilitate incoming assistance coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. 
  • Over the next 24 hours, moderate rain is forecast in the northern and central Provinces of Mozambique. In Zimbabwe, the weather is expected to improve across the eastern and north-eastern Provinces.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service has produced 50 satellite maps, 31 for Mozambique (EMSR348) and 19 for Zimbabwe (EMR349).
Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods (ECHO 27 Mar 2019)Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:02

  • According to the latest UN OCHA report, 447 people are dead in Mozambique and 1 522 injured. 1 850 000 people have been affected and 129 000 are sheltering in 143 sites in Sofala (103), Manica (26), Zambezia (10) and Tete (4).
    In Zimbabwe, 172 people are dead, more than 186 have been injured and 327 are missing. At least 16 000 households need shelter assistance in Chimanimani, Mutare, Chipinge and Buhera.
  • The European Commission provided for logistical support and emergency activities in Zimbabwe.
  • Over the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms are forecast in the central and northern Provinces of Mozambique. Moderate rain is expected in Masvingo, Mat South and Manicaland Provinces of Zimbabwe.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service published so far 50 satellite maps, 31 for and 19 for .
    An EU Civil Protection Team of 12 experts from seven EU Member States is deployed in Maputo and Beira and are facilitating incoming EU assistance.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi - Tropical Cyclone IDAI UPDATE (ECHO 26 Mar 2019)Tue, 26 Mar 2019 11:00

  • In Mozambique, as of 25 March, the reported death toll has risen to 446, 110 000 people are in 130 shelters, 36 747 houses have been reported destroyed, with 19 733 partially destroyed and 2 184 homes flooded (source: UNOCHA). 
  • In Zimbabwe, the death toll stands at 154, while 687 people are missing, including 500 in Chimanimani district (Manicaland Province). The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is supporting the response in Chimanimani district with temporary collective sites for displaced people. 
  • Over the next 24 hours, the weather conditions should improve in the affected provinces in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. However, heavy rain and thunderstorms could further affect the northern areas of Mozambique. 
  • In Malawi, as of 25 March, the death toll stands at 56, with 922 900 people affected, and six camps hosting the displaced.
  • The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated for Mozambique. 14 EUCPM Participating States are responding with in-kind assistance, teams and experts.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service has so far published 52 satellite maps for the region, 30 for Mozambique () 15 for Zimbabwe (), and 7 for Malawi ().
Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods (ECHO 22 Mar 2019)Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:08

  • The death toll and damage continue to rise following the passage of Tropical Cyclone IDAI.
  • According to UN OCHA, as of 22 March, in Mozambique 242 people have died, 1 500 are injured and 65 000 are housed in 100 collective sites located in four provinces (Sofala, Manica, Zambezia and Tete). More than 17 400 houses have been destroyed and 2 056 flooded. The most affected city of Beira remains only accessible by air and sea and is without electricity.
  • In Zimbabwe, 102 people are reported dead while 217 are missing.
  • The National Institute for Disaster Management of Mozambique (INGC) continues rescue operations, especially in the Púnguè and Búzi basins (Sofala Province). 
  • The European Commission is responding to the emergency. In-kind assistance from Member States is being mobilised through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Offers from Germany (water purification equipment), Luxembourg (satellite telecommunications for humanitarian workers on the ground) and Portugal (food, mattresses, experts) have been accepted by Mozambique. An EU Civil Protection Team of ten experts will be deployed and DG ECHO humanitarian experts are already on the ground in Mozambique. 
  • This assistance come in addition to the EUR 3.5 million in EU humanitarian aid, EUR 250 000 provided to Mozambique and Malawi Red Cross Societies and 41 satellite maps produced so far by the Copernicus programme for affected areas in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
  • Heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds are expected in seven Provinces of Mozambique over the next 24 hours. In Zimbabwe, heavy rain with isolated thundershowers is forecast in the north-eastern provinces.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and floods UPDATE (ECHO 21 Mar 2019)Thu, 21 Mar 2019 11:01

    • Tropical Cyclone IDAI inflicted widespread damage to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
    • As of 21 March, the number of deaths in Mozambique stands at 202, 102 in Zimbabwe, 56 in Malawi.
    • The funding allocated by the European Commission will be used to provide logistical support, emergency shelters, hygiene, sanitation and healthcare. Based on needs, EUR 2 million will be provided in Mozambique, EUR 1 million in Malawi and EUR 0.5 million in Zimbabwe. The authorities of Zimbabwe have deployed 46 drinking water tanks to those affected.
    • Over the next 24 hours, heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast in seven Provinces of Mozambique (Sofala, Zambezia, Niassa, Nampula, Inhambane Gaza and Maputo). In Zimbabwe, moderate rain is expected in Mash East and Manicaland Provinces.
    • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service published so far 38 satellite maps to support the operation, 22 for Mozambique (EMSR348), nine for Zimbabwe (EMR349) and seven for Malawi (EMSR347).
Mozambique, Zimbabwe - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and floods UPDATE (ECHO 19 Mar 2019)Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:05

  • The number of dead and extent of damage sustained by Tropical Cyclone IDAI continues to rise.
  • In Mozambique, as of 19 March, 150 people are reported dead  (including 66 killed by flooding in early March in the Provinces of Tete and Zambezia) and more than 1 500 are injured.
  • In Zimbabwe, 98 people are reported dead, 217 are missing and 15 000 people have been affected. In Buhera (Manicaland Province) the Marowanyati dam burst and families are displaced.
  • The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released 340 000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund for the initial response.
  • Over the next 24 hours, heavy rain and strong winds are forecast in Sofala, Manica, Tete, Inhambane and Gaza Provinces (Mozambique). Heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected in Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated for , and and a number of maps have already been produced to assist the response.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe - Tropical Cyclone IDAI and Floods UPDATE (ECHO 18 Mar 2019)Mon, 18 Mar 2019 11:06

  • The number of fatalities continue to rise following the passage of Tropical Cyclone IDAI.
  • As of 17 March, at least 48 people are dead in Mozambique, more than 70 are injuried and 600 000 affected. Communications are still down in Beira City and the airport remains closed. 
  • At least 31 deaths have been reported in Zimbabwe and over 100 are missing. At least 9 600 people have been affected in Manicaland Province (Chimanimani, Chipinge, Nyanga and Mutare). The President of Zimbabwe has declared a state of disaster.
  • The authorities of Zimbabwe and Mozambique (Government, Civil Protection Committees and the military) are conducting rapid needs assessments, search and rescue operations and evacuations. 
  • Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast in Sofala, Manica, Tete, Inhambane and Gaza Provinces (Mozambique) and eastern Zimbabwe. A Red Alert is in effect for flooding along the River Buzi, with a high risk of floods in Buzi and Pungoé.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 18 March to monitor floods and wind storms in Manicaland (Zimbabwe).
Mozambique - Tropical Cyclone IDAI update (ECHO 15 Mar 2019)Fri, 15 Mar 2019 11:08

  • Tropical Cyclone IDAI made landfall on 14 March at 23.30 UTC close to Beira City. On 15 March at 0.00, its centre was located approximately 25 km north-west of Beira, with maximum sustained winds up to 167 km/h.
  • Heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge affected the coast of Sofala region. The European Commission's Joint Research Centre estimated a maximum storm surge height of 2.5 metres in Beira. 
  • IDAI should weaken as it moves north-west towards Zimbabwe. Heavy rain, strong winds and severe thunderstorms are forecast across Zambezia, Sofala, Manica, Tete and Inhambane provinces, and eastern Zimbabwe.
  • As of 15 March at 8.00 UTC, 141 000 peope have been affected by the weather system, 66 have died since flooding began at the beginning of the month, 111 injured and 17 100 displaced in Zambezia and Tete. Access remains challenging due to damaged roads and several houses in Beira have been destroyed.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated for IDAI on 15 March and the first maps are expected today. 
  • DG ECHO has deployed a technical expert to the affected region.
Mozambique, Malawi - Tropical Cyclone IDAI (ECHO 14 Mar 2019)Thu, 14 Mar 2019 11:04

  • As of 14 March at 0.00 UTC, Tropical Cyclone IDAI's centre was located approximately 315 km east of Beira City (Sofala Province, central Mozambique), with maximum sustained winds of 194 km/h. 
  • IDAI is expected to make landfall very close to Beira City late on 14 March, with maximum sustained winds of 180-190 km/h. On 15 March it is forecast to weaken as it moves west-northwest inland.
  • Between 14-17 March, strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge could affect Zambezia, Sofala, Manica and Inhambane Provinces. Heavy rain and strong winds could also affect northern areas of Niassa, Cabo Delgado Provinces as well as eastern Zimbabwe and southern Malawi.
  • As of 14 March at 8.00 UTC, the death toll has increased to 66 in Zambezia, Tete and Niassa provinces. At least 17 100 are displaced in 16 evacuation centres, 6 000 homes are damaged and approximately 140 000 people affected.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 9 March and four maps have been produced so far.
  • Two DG ECHO technical experts are being deployed to Malawi and Mozambique.
Mozambique, Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone IDAI (ECHO 13 Mar 2019)Wed, 13 Mar 2019 11:03

  • Tropical Cyclone IDAI is continuing west-southwest over the central Mozambique Channel. As of 13 March at 0.00 UTC, its centre was approximately 430 km west-northwest of Morondava City (Menabe Region, western Madagascar) and 550 km east-northeast of Beira City (Sofala Province, central Mozambique), with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h.
  • As of 12 March, 15 people are reported dead (four in Zambezia Province and 11 in Tete Province).
  • IDAI is forecast to continue west-southwest and it is expected make landfall on 14 March as an intense tropical cyclone very close to Beira city, with projected maximum sustained winds of 180-200 km/h.
  • From 14-17 March, strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge could affect several districts of Zambezia Province (Chinde, Luabo, Inhassuge, Mopeia, Nicoadala, Maquival, Mocubela, Mulevala, Milange, Dere, Morrumala, Mocuba and Cidade de Quelimane) and Sofala Province. Heavy rain and strong winds could also affect northern Mozambique (Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces).
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 9 March following the heavy rains and floods. It has also been pre-tasked to acquire satellite imagery after IDAI makes landfall.
Mozambique, Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone IDAI (ECHO 12 Mar 2019)Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:04

  • Tropical Cyclone IDAI is strengthening as it moves south-west over the northern Mozambique Channel. As of 12 March at 0.00 UTC, its centre was approximately 220 km west-southwest of Maintirano (Mahajanga Province, western Madagascar) and 520 km east of Quelimane (Zambezia Province, central Mozambique), with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h.
  • According to the UN Resident Coordinator for Mozambique, ten people were killed (four in Zambezia Province, six in Tete Province), 62 115 have been affected (43 205 in Zambezia, 18 910 in Tete) and 10 512 displaced (6 542 in Zambezia, 3 110 in Tete and 860 in Niassa). In Zambezia 3 090 houses were destroyed and 2 032 flooded in Tete.
  • IDAI is forecast to make landfall in Sofala Province (Mozambique) on 14 March, as an intense tropical cyclone (maximum sustained winds 200-210 km/h).
  • From 14-17 March, strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge could affect Zambezia and Sofala provinces and the west coast of Madagascar. Moderate rain and strong winds are forecast for northern provinces of Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Nampula.
Mozambique - Tropical Cyclone IDAI-19 (ECHO 11 Mar 2019)Mon, 11 Mar 2019 11:02

  • Tropical Cyclone IDAI-19 is moving south-southwest over the northern Mozambique Channel, strengthening. As of 11 March its centre was located approximatey 120 km north-west of Maintirano (Mahajanga Province, western Madagascar) and 370 km east-southeast of Angoche (Nampula Province, central Mozambique), with maximum sustained winds of 167 km/h. 
  • Over the next 24 hours, TC IDAI-19 is forecast to move south-west over the Mozambique Channel, strengthening, with maximum sustained winds up to 210 km/h. It is expected to make landfall over Mozambique (particularly Zambesia and Sofala Provinces) on 15-16 March.
  • Strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge could affect several provinces of Mozambique (particularly Niassa, Cabo Delgado, North of Nampula, Zambézia, Sofala, Manica and Tete) and the west coast of Madagascar over the next 48 hours.
Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)

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Estimated casualties (PAGER)

USGS estimates the number of casualties for each earthquake for the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) product.
The graph shows the current fatalities estimate.

Exposed population

Analytical products

Daily Maps:

16/May/2019 05:15 UTC

Data, images, links, services and documents

For this events, GDACS has links to information from the following sources: UNOSAT (1), EMSR (2), EC-JRC (38), (2), DesInventar (1), WMO (1), INFORM (2),