Intense Tropical Cyclone Japhet was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected southeast Africa in March 2003. It developed on February25 near the southwest coast of Madagascar, and initially moved to the northwest before turning to the southwest. With favorable conditions for development, Japhet quickly intensified in the Mozambique Channel, reaching maximum winds of 175km/h (109mph) , sustained over 10minutes. After stalling briefly, the cyclone turned to the northwest, weakening slightly before striking Mozambique just south of Vilankulo on March2. Japhet slowly weakened while progressing inland, dissipating over Zambia on March6.
Along its path, Japhet dropped heavy rainfall that caused widespread river flooding. The rains occurred after an extended drought, although excessive precipitation caused heavy crop damage, notably around where the storm moved ashore. In two provinces in Mozambique, the cyclone damaged or destroyed 25,000houses, leaving at least 23,000people homeless. Flooding in Zambia caused rivers to rise in Mozambique several days after the storm's passage. There were 17deaths in Mozambique. Further inland, remnant rainfall destroyed a bridge and several houses in Zimbabwe, killing eight people.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
On February23, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring an area of convection in the Mozambique Channel.[1] On February25, Météo France (MF) initiated advisories on Tropical Disturbance 13 when the system was located along the southwest coast of Madagascar. Later that day, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, noting that environmental conditions favored development, including weak wind shear. The system developed organized convection in a circular pattern, and on February26, the MF and JTWC upgraded the system to Tropical Depression 13 and Tropical Cyclone 19S, respectively. With a mid-level ridge to the south, the depression moved generally westward, and after intensifying further, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Japhet by the Direction de la Météorologie et de l'Hydrologie of Madagascar late on February26.[2]
After attaining tropical storm status, Japhet quickly intensified while it began moving to the southwest, due to a break in the ridge.[2] At 0000UTC on February28, the MF assessed that the storm strengthened into a tropical cyclone – a storm with 10 minute sustained winds of 120km/h (75mph). This was about 12hours after the JTWC upgraded Japhet to the same intensity but with 1minute sustained winds.[3] About 18hours after designating Japhet as a tropical cyclone, MF estimated the storm attained 10minute sustained winds of 165km/h (103mph) and upgraded the storm to an intense tropical cyclone; this made Japhet only the sixth such cyclone in the Mozambique Channel in 24years. After further intensification, the cyclone peaked in intensity on March1.[2] The JTWC estimated 1minute sustained winds of 215km/h (134mph) with gusts to 260km/h (160mph),[1] while MF estimated 10minute sustained winds of 175km/h (109mph).[3]
Cyclone Japhet maintained its peak winds for about 24hours,[3] during which it remained nearly stationary. Subsequently, the storm began a northwest track toward the Mozambique coast, gradually weakening due to decreased outflow and dry air.[2] At about 1700UTC on March2, Japhet made landfall just south of Vilankulo, Mozambique, with winds of 160km/h (99mph) as estimated by the JTWC.[1][2] The cyclone gradually weakened over land, decreasing below tropical cyclone status by early on March3. Japhet crossed into southern Zimbabwe, and both JTWC and MF discontinued warnings before Japhet dissipated on March5.[2][3]
Impact and aftermath
Satellite-estimated rainfall for Cyclone Japhet
While Japhet was developing, the pressure gradient between it and a ridge produced winds of 93km/h (58mph) on Europa Island in the Mozambique Channel.[2] Heavy rains affected southwestern Madagascar, but there was no major damage.[4]
Before Japhet struck Mozambique, the local Red Cross office mobilized volunteers, including 100people in Inhambane Province who assisted local officials in preparations.[5] The cyclone affected the same region that Cyclone Delfina struck two months prior.[6] Japhet produced high winds and heavy rainfall in southern and central Mozambique into southern Zimbabwe. The rains were beneficial in alleviating drought conditions,[1] and dry grounds absorbed much of the excess rainfall.[5] After entering Zimbabwe, Japhet's rainfall caused the Save River to rise, causing flooding in southern Mozambique several days after the storm passed the area. The resulting floods affected 50,000people in several villages.[7] The Limpopo River also rose to above-normal level.[8] High rains also caused some crop damage,[5] destroying 237,000hectares (585,600acres) of crop fields.[9] This included 12,325 downed cashew trees, 6,955 wrecked banana plants, and 2,495killed livestock, all in Vilankulo; however, the rains allowed farming conditions to improve due to wetter conditions in drought areas.[10]
Before Japhet moved ashore, Vilankulo reported sustained winds of 74km/h (46mph), with gusts to 105km/h (65mph).[2] There, the winds destroyed the roofs or damaged the doors and windows of 95% of brick houses.[11] In Inhambane Province in southern Mozambique, the cyclone destroyed several boats,[6] cut power lines,[11] and disrupted roads with flooding or downed trees,[5] which prevented communication with the province.[11] The storm destroyed 500classrooms, 35government buildings, and 7health facilities. The cyclone damaged or destroyed 25,000houses in Inhambane and Sofala provinces,[10] leaving about 23,000people homeless in Inhambane alone,[11] which was the worst-affected province.[5] Three people were injured in Morrumbene by a fallen tree.[6] There were 17deaths in the country,[12] which was less than from previous cyclones due to advance warning and coordinated government action.[13]
The Zambia Meteorological Department warned of the potential of intense precipitation before Japhet moved into the region.[14] In neighboring Zimbabwe, ten hours of high rainfall nearly overtopped the Manyuchi Dam and destroyed a bridge.[15][16] The storm also damaged crops and destroyed houses in the country,[17] killing eight people.[18]
After the storm struck Mozambique, the World Food Programme distributed more than 4,300tons of food to affected citizens.[4] The agency had to transport goods via helicopter due to damaged or flooded roads.[19] The country's primary north–south highway, which was damaged by the storm, had emergency repairs and was reopened within three days.[20] Mozambique's National Disaster Management Institute distributed 70 tonnes (69 long tons; 77 short tons) of maize, 8 tonnes (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons) of beans, and 80tents to storm victims.[21] Lingering floods in Zimbabwe contributed to an increase in malaria cases.[22] The Delta Corporation donated $6million worth of blankets and food to residents in the country.[23]
↑"Zambia; Role of Technology in Meteorology". Africa News. AllAfrica, Inc. 2004-03-22. (accessed via Lexis Nexis on August 16, 2012)
↑"Zimbabwe; Manyuchi Dam Underutilised". Africa News. AllAfrica, Inc. 2004-06-30. (accessed via Lexis Nexis on August 16, 2012)
↑"Zimbabwe; Corporate World Should Rise to Society's Challenges". Africa News. AllAfrica, Inc. 2003-06-18. (accessed via Lexis Nexis on August 16, 2012)
↑"Zimbabwe; Chronology of an Unremitting Crisis". Africa News. AllAfrica, Inc. 2003-12-31. (accessed via Lexis Nexis on August 16, 2012)
↑"Zimbabwe; Elaborate Disaster Preparedness Plan Needed". Africa News. AllAfrica, Inc. 2003-08-01. (accessed via Lexis Nexis on August 16, 2012)
