page_title: Tropical Storm Delfina
section_title: Impact and aftermath
hierarchical_section_title: Tropical Storm Delfina / Impact and aftermath
caption_attribution_description: Packing sustained winds of 64 km (40 miles) per hour, and gusts of up to 85 km (53 miles) per hour, Tropical Cyclone 08S formed in the Mozambique Channel and moved westward directly toward Mozambique’s east coast. The storm was predicted to intensify before it makes landfall early on Jan. 1, 2003 (local time). This true-color image of Cyclone 08S was acquired on Dec. 31, 2002, by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite.
context_page_description: Severe Tropical Storm Delfina was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected southeastern Africa in January 2003. The fourth named storm of the 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Delfina formed off the northwest coast of Madagascar on December 30, 2002. It quickly intensified while moving westward, becoming a strong tropical storm before hitting northeastern Mozambique on December 31. Delfina weakened while moving inland, and it was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by January 1, 2003. However, its remnants moved across the country and into Malawi, later looping around and crossing back over Mozambique; the remnants of Delfina were last observed on January 9.
  In both Mozambique and Malawi, Delfina dropped heavy rainfall that caused flooding. In the former country, over 18,000 houses were severely damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands homeless. The storm damaged roads and bridges, which disrupted relief efforts in the aftermath, and floods destroyed widespread areas of crops in the midst of an ongoing food shortage. Lingering flooding caused an outbreak of cholera and malaria in Mozambique, and 47 people were killed by Delfina.
context_section_description: Upon striking Mozambique, Delfina produced strong winds and heavy rains, particularly in the northern portion of the country. A station in Nampula reported 281 mm (11.1 in) in a 48‑hour period. Delfina washed out roads and bridges in Nampula and Zambezia provinces, which isolated towns and disrupted the transportation network. A train derailed due to effects from the storm, which cut rail travel between northern Mozambique and neighboring Malawi. The cyclone destroyed or severely damaged over 18,000 houses, which directly affected about 133,000 people, mostly in Nampula where 22,000 people were displaced. Floods along the Ligonha River forced 1,800 people to leave their homes. In Nampula and Zambezia, Delfina damaged four health facilities and 376 schools. The storm caused a power outage in Nampula for several days, and in Monapo, there were water shortages after the storm. The cyclone destroyed over 2,000 ha (4,900 acres) of beans and cassava crops and knocked down thousands of cashew trees, in areas already affected by food shortages due to drought conditions. Overall, Delfina resulted in $3.5 million in damage (2003 USD), and caused 47 deaths in the country, at least 19 due to flooding.
  After Delfina moved through Mozambique, the local Red Cross chapter provided shelter, water, and relief items to the affected residents. Residual flooding in northern Mozambique, compounded with lack of drinking water, caused a cholera outbreak that affected at least 400 people. By January 27, 12 people had died from the disease. Flooding also caused a malaria outbreak that killed 45 people in the country. Government officials deployed food to the affected areas by airplane and by road, after workers repaired damaged bridges. Residents in Mozambique gradually recovered from storm damage in the weeks after it struck. Only two months after the storm struck, however, Cyclone Japhet left damage and deaths in many of the same areas.
  In neighboring Malawi, the storm's remnants caused flooding in seven provinces, although it was not widespread. Delfina damaged roads, and destroyed one rail bridge in Balaka District. The storm destroyed about 3,600 houses; which forced about 30,000 people to leave their homes. The floods affected 57,000 properties, damaging 23,500 ha (58,000 acres) in the midst of a food shortage. Delfina killed eight people in Malawi, prompting President Bakili Muluzi to declare the country as a disaster area on January 11. After the storm, the Red Cross provided blankets and food for the affected residents. The damaged rail line that initially prevented relief supplies from entering the country was repaired in early February.
caption: Satellite image of Delfina near landfall on December 31
exif: {}