Thousands displaced: Tropical Storm Filipo impacts Mozambique

Tropical Storm Filipo has resulted in at least two reported deaths amid thousands who have been displaced after landfall in Mozambique.

Just over a year since Cyclone Freddy impacted more than one million people in the East African country, Filipo made landfall on Tuesday. So far, two people have died due to the system, with around 2,800 displaced.

The low-pressure system, named Filipo, delivered abundant, intense rain and strong gusts of rain as it reached multiple countries, with Mozambique the worst affected.

In coastal areas, many structures collapsed due to the severe storm at sea. In the south of the country, waves exceeded 7 metres in height.

Meanwhile in Maputo, the capital, streets were flooded and traffic was significantly impeded. In this city of more than one million inhabitants, dozens of vehicles were swept away.

Rainfall was heavy, exceeding 200 litres in some areas. Combined with wind speeds of more than 50 mph, it created a dangerous weather situation in a country still recovering from Freddy.

Cyclone Freddy devastated much of the country and left thousands of people without access to water or food in February 2023. International assistance has been activated to bring the country back to normality as soon as possible.

Nearby Madagascar also suffered from Freddy, which resulted in more than 500 deaths across Mozambique, Madagascar, and Malawi during impact.

Freddy was a much stronger system, making landfall as a category 4 cyclone, and made history as the longest-lasting system on record. Due to this, recovery efforts are still continuing even a year later.

Curious about the difference between cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons? Watch our special report from Weather & Radar meteorologist Tamsin Green to learn more.