Tropical Storm Domoina
Severe tropical storm (SWIO scale) | |
---|---|
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Formed | January 16, 1984 |
Dissipated | February 2, 1984 |
Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 95 km/h (60 mph) 1-minute sustained: 100 km/h (65 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 976 hPa (mbar); 28.82 inHg |
Fatalities | 242 |
Damage | $200 million (1984 Swaziland, South Africa |
Part of the 1983–84 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season |
Severe Tropical Storm Domoina in 1984 caused
In Mozambique, Domoina dropped heavy rainfall in the capital Maputo that accounted for 40% of the annual total. Floods in the country destroyed over 50 small dams and left widespread crop damage just before the summer harvest. Later, the rains caused the worst flooding in over 20 years in Swaziland, which damaged or destroyed more than 100 bridges. Disrupted transport left areas isolated for several days. In South Africa, rainfall peaked at 950 mm (37 in), which flooded 29 river basins, notably the Pongola River which altered its course after the storm. Flooding caused the Pongolapoort Dam to reach 87% of its capacity; when waters were released to maintain the structural integrity, additional flooding occurred in Mozambique, forcing thousands to evacuate. Throughout the region, Domoina caused widespread flooding that damaged houses, roads, and crops, leaving about $199 million in damage. There were 242 deaths in southeastern Africa.
Meteorological history
In January and February 1984, conditions were favorable for
While crossing Madagascar on a westward trajectory, Domonia weakened; JTWC estimated the winds decreased to 55 km/h (35 mph), after earlier estimating winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) before landfall.[4] On January 23, the storm emerged into the Mozambique Channel near Belo, and due to a ridge to the north, it resumed its southwest motion. Domoina executed two small loops off the western coast of Madagascar while progressing generally southwestward.[2] On January 25, MFR estimated that Domonia attained peak 10 minute sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) near Europa Island; this made it a severe tropical storm. Two days later, the JTWC estimated peak 10 minute winds of 100 km/h (60 mph). Early on January 28, Domonia made a second landfall on southeastern Mozambique near peak intensity. It slowly weakened over land while moving across southern Mozambique. The JTWC discontinued advisories on January 29 when the storm was near the border of Mozambique and Swaziland. The next day, Domonia crossed into Swaziland and subsequently into eastern South Africa, weakening into a tropical depression while passing near Durban.[4] At around that time, the system was dissipating,[2] although MFR continued tracking Domonia until February 2, when it dissipated just offshore the east coast of South Africa.[4]
Impact
Throughout its path, Domoina left thousands of people homeless,[7] and caused widespread flooding due to drawing moisture from the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique channel.[1] The rains led to rivers bursting their banks, which isolated tens of thousands of people.[8] In the months before Domoina struck, dry conditions persisted across southeastern Africa.[9]
Crossing Madagascar as a moderate tropical storm, Domoina dropped rainfall along its path, reaching 98.8 mm (3.89 in) in
As Domoina made its final landfall in Mozambique, it dropped heavy rainfall reaching 430 mm (17 in) in the town of
Later, the storm dropped heavy rainfall in Swaziland, reaching 906 mm (35.7 in) at Piggs Peak; there, rainfall reached 615 mm (24.2 in) in a one-day period.[12] Described as the worst flooding in over 20 years,[15] the precipitation increased levels along most rivers in the country, some of which rose 30 m (98 ft) in a few hours. The floods washed out or damaged over 100 bridges, and two railways had cuts in their lines.[11] The floods closed at least 20 major roads[7] and the country's primary airport. Most schools nationwide were also closed during the storm.[19] There were initial difficulties in determining the extent of the damage due to cut communications and disrupted transportation. For several days, southeastern Swaziland was only accessible by air travel, while rural parts of the country lost access to fresh water.[20] Thousands of livestock died during the storm,[15] and thousands of acres of croplands were flooded.[17] About 10,000 citrus trees were destroyed, and crop damage was estimated at $2.5 million.[11] About 500 people were left homeless in the small nation,[18] after many homes were damaged or destroyed. Schools and health clinics were also damaged. The storm's high winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving power outages.[11] Overall damage was estimated at $54 million,[18] of which $47.5 million from infrastructure damage,[20] and Domoina killed 73 people in the country.[17]
South Africa
While Domoina was moving through South Africa, it drew an area of moisture from the northeast,
Along the Umfolozi River, a
Near the South Africa border with Swaziland, flooding stranded about 80,000 people on tribal lands. One road in the country was converted into a makeshift landing strip to allow helicopters and planes to drop off emergency supplies.
Aftermath
In Mozambique, workers assisted people in moving to higher grounds following flooding. Members of the Mozambique Red Cross helped distribute food and clothing to the affected residents, and planes helped drop off supplies to residents in isolated areas.[11]
On January 31, the government of Swaziland declared a state of emergency and requested assistance from the international community.
Following the storm in South Africa, workers restored the original course of the Umfolozi River after it had moved.[21] Officials later purchased a new dredge to remove sediment from Lake St. Lucia, and the canal connecting the lake to the Umfolozi River was later finished.[22] Local governments coordinated relief efforts in the country, including delivering food and providing shelter for those who lost their homes. The South African Red Cross provided food to storm victims, many of whom were beneficiaries of the food program during the extended drought. The South African government declared Natal a disaster area. The country's military provided 25 helicopters to rescue flood victims and donated 3,000 tents. The government later authorized $85 million to fund repairing damaged rails and roads. The American government donated $100,000 to the country, mostly to purchase supplies. West Germany also donated about $231,000, mostly for the feeding program.[11]
See also
- Subtropical Depression Dando – made landfall in southern Mozambique in 2012
Notes
- ^ All damage totals are in 1984 United States dollars.
- ^ The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the region.[5]
- ^ Original source is in South African rand, converted to United States dollar.[23]
References
- ^ a b c d e Mark R. Jury; Beenay Pathack; Bin Wang; Mark Powell; Nirivololona Raholijao (1993). "A Destructive Cyclone Season in the SW Indian Ocean: January-February 1984" (PDF). South African Geographical Journal. 95. University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g La Météorlogie, Service de la Réunion (September 1984). "La Saison Cyclonique 1983-1984 A Madagascar" (PDF). Madagascar: Revue de Géographie (in French). 43 (Juil-Déc 1983): 146. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Centers (Report). National Hurricane Center. September 11, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Knapp, K. R.; M. C. Kruk; D. H. Levinson; H. J. Diamond; C. J. Neumann (2010). 1984 Domonia (1984016S15073). The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data (Report). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2011. Archived from the original on July 26, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ Best Track Data for Tropical Cyclone 14S (Domoina) (TXT) (Report). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ a b "Swazi Storm Toll Rises to 39". The New York Times. Reuters. February 5, 1984. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c "114 die in African flooding". The Day. Associated Press. February 3, 1984. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c d J.N. Rossouw (January 1985). The effects of the Domoina floods and releases from the Pongolapoort Dam on the Pongolo floodplain (PDF) (Report). Department of Water Affairs (South Africa).
- ^ United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (April 18, 1984). Madagascar Cyclone Feb 1984 UNDRO Situation Report 4 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance. Annual Report for FY 1984 (PDF) (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Z.P. Kovács; D.B. Du Plessis; P.R. Bracher; P. Dunn; G.C.L. Mallory (May 1985). Documentation of the 1984 Domoina Floods (PDF) (Report). Department of Water Affairs (South Africa).
- ^ a b c d Álbaro Carmo Vaz (November 2000). Coping with Floods – The Experience of Mozambique (Report). 1st WARFSA/WaterNet Symposium: Sustainable Use of Water Resources. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
- ^ "At Least 124 Killed in African Hurricane". The Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. February 4, 1984. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Hurricane Hits Swaziland". The Spokesman-Review. January 31, 1984. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
- ^ "10,000 left homeless by cyclone, flooding". The Globe and Mail. February 8, 1984. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d Richard M. DeAngelis (Summer 1984). Elwyn E. Wilson (ed.). "Hurricane Alley". Mariners Weather Log. 28 (3). United States Department of Commerce: 182–183.
- ^ a b c Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (August 1993). Significant Data on Major Disasters Worldwide 1900-present (PDF) (Report). Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ^ "Storm Leaves Thousands Homeless in Swaziland". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. January 31, 1984. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (February 1984). Swaziland Floods Feb 1984 UNDRO Situation Reports 1-6 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c S.E. Grenfell; W.N. Ellery; M.C. Grenfell. Geomorphology and dynamics of the Mfolozi River floodplain, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (PDF) (Report). Rhodes University. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-107-01975-1. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
- ^ Lawrence H. Officer (2013). "Exchange Rates Between the United States Dollar and Forty-one Currencies". Retrieved July 23, 2013.
- ^ "Swaziland; Finance Minister's Review of the Economy". BBC. February 26, 1985. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)