Tropical cyclone GOMBE continued over the Mozambique Channel toward northern Mozambique on 9 March, as a tropical storm, further strengthening. On 10 March at 6.00 UTC, its centre was located approximately 250 km east of the coastal area of central Nampula Province, with maximum sustained winds of 137 km/h (tropical cyclone).

GOMBE is forecast to make landfall over the central Nampula Province (approximately 35 km south of Mozambique City) in the late evening (UTC) of 10 March.

Over the next 72 hours, very heavy rainfall is expected to continue over most of Madagascar, except over southern area.

Very heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge are forecast over northern and central Mozambique over 10-14 March. The Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has issued a red warning for tropical cyclone over most of Nampula and Zambezia Provinces.

According to the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS), approximately 55,000 people are estimated to be exposed to fluvial floods in Mozambique. Population exposed to the broader hazards will be larger due to flash, pluvial and coastal flooding as well as exposure to intense wind speeds.

UPDATE 13-3-2022

Cyclone Gombe made landfall as a Category 3 Tropical Cyclone on Friday, 11 March 2022 on the coast between Mossuril and Mogincual districts in Nampula Province.

The International Organization for Migration said as many as 115,336 individuals have been affected by the storm, mostly in Nampula (Angoche, Moma, Mogovolas, Mucuburi, Monapo, Ilha, Lalaua, Mossuril, Nacala Porto and Meconta) and Zambezia (Namacurra, Gile, Nicoadala, Maganja, Pebane, Molocue, Mocubela, Mopeia, Mocuba and lle).

Mozambique’s Instituto Nacional de Gestão e Redução do Risco de Desastres (INGD) reported on 13 March that 12 people have died in Nampula Province as a result of the passage of the storm. Around 40 people were also injured. INGD added that more than 3,000 homes have been completely destroyed and about 2,500 damaged, mostly as a result of strong winds, forcing many to evacuate. Authorities have set up 8 shelters to house those displaced in Nampula Province. Places of worship and public buildings including schools were also damaged, along with power infrastructure.

UPDATE 16-3-2022

• Northern Mozambique continues to be affected by the passage of tropical cyclone GOMBE on 11-14 March, resulting in an increased humanitarian impact.
• As of 14 March, the National Institute for Disaster Management of Mozambique (INGC) reports 15 fatalities in Nampula Province and one missing person in Zambezia Province.
• About 50 people have been injured, and around 11,630 individuals are currently displaced to 25 evacuation centres in Nampula and Zambezia. More than 100,400 persons have been affected and 10,811 houses have been destroyed and other 11,882 sustained damage. 
• In Malawi, the number of fatalities due to the passage of tropical cyclone GOMBE across the Southern Region increased to six, the impact assessments are ongoing.
• On 15-17 March, light rainfall is expected over northern Mozambique and light to locally moderate rainfall with thunderstorms is forecast over the Southern Region of Malawi.