Cyclone Freddy

The system that developed into Cyclone Freddy formed on 4 February 2023, when the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) identified it as Tropical Low 13U. Its formation occurred during an active phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation combined with an equatorial Rossby wave while it was south of the Indonesian archipelago. Later, persistent convection around the system's circulation led the BoM to upgrade the tropical low to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale at 12:00 UTC, and it was assigned the name Freddy. The system became increasingly susceptible to wind shear and dry air intrusion, causing Freddy to weaken back into a minimal tropical storm on 9 February. The cyclone quickly restrengthened with the storm becoming a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone—and at 18:00 UTC on 11 February, the cyclone reached as a high-end Category 4 severe tropical cyclone in the Australian basin. On 14 February, the system tracked over the 90th meridian east and into the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone region, and hence responsibility for the storm transitioned to Météo-France (MFR) at La Réunion. On 19 February, the MFR upgraded Freddy to a very intense tropical cyclone based on a Dvorak technique rating of T7.0, with 10-minute sustained winds of and an estimated barometric pressure of . In post-analysis, the MFR concluded a peak wind speed of , and minimum central pressure of . The system reached Category 5-equivalent intensity, with the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reporting 1-minute sustained winds of . The cyclone's eye pattern quickly deteriorated while it was traversing north of the Mascarene Islands. Freddy made landfall as a strong Category 2-equivalent intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of near Mananjary, Madagascar on 21 February. This made Freddy the strongest storm to impact the island nation since Cyclone Batsirai a year earlier. After crossing Madagascar, its circulation became exposed, and the deep convection was stripped away from the center. Freddy emerged into the Mozambique Channel, quickly re-intensifying into a severe tropical storm on 23 February. Freddy reached Mozambique south of Vilankulos on 24 February, bringing winds of , which was just shy of severe tropical storm intensity, before moving into Zimbabwe late on 26 February, where it remained for a couple of days. Freddy entered the channel early on 1 March and continued to intensify, reaching tropical cyclone status as it accelerated eastward towards the coast of Madagascar on 5 March, but then weakened to just below minimal tropical storm strength due to increased wind shear and dry air intrusion. Freddy rapidly intensified once more and made its final landfall near Quelimane, Mozambique, with the JTWC estimated winds of about on 11 March; however, the storm's circulation dissipated shortly thereafter, marking the end of Freddy's time as a tropical cyclone on 14 March. Records Cyclone Freddy lasted 36 days, made it the longest-lasting tropical cyclone worldwide, in terms of the number of days maintaining tropical storm status or higher, beating the previous record set by Hurricane John in 1994. Freddy was also the second-farthest traveling tropical cyclone globally, behind 1994's Hurricane John, with a distance traveled of . Freddy also holds the record for the second-highest accumulated cyclone energy—a metric that measures the total energy generated by tropical cyclones, at 83.31—just shy of Hurricane Ioke in 2006. Freddy was the tropical cyclone that underwent six separate rounds of rapid intensification. It was also one of only six systems to traverse the entire southern Indian Ocean from east to west, along with cyclones Litanne in 1994 as well as Leon–Eline, Hudah in 2000, Dikeledi in 2025 and Grant in 2026. ==Preparations==

Mascarene Islands A class I cyclone warning was issued by Mauritius for Rodrigues, and later a class II cyclone warning was issued. Flights from Rodrigues to Saint-Denis, Réunion, were canceled or rescheduled due to inclement weather. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth stated this during a radio and television address urging vigilance and caution. The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) issued a class III cyclone warning, estimating that Freddy's center gusts might reach up to . The country also shut down its stock exchange as the storm neared. A total of 1,019 people sought refuge in public shelters. On 18 February, a cyclone yellow pre-alert was issued for the island of Réunion by the MFR. The following day, this was upgraded to an orange alert which prompted all schools to close. Hospital patients whose conditions did not require immediate treatment were to return home while those with more care-intensive needs were to be transported to designated facilities. The island's power company, EDF La Réunion, prepped 200 personnel with a further 100 people from subcontracted companies for immediate repairs once storm conditions subsided. Call centers were staffed with 60 additional workers. The company also prepped 50 vehicles, electrical equipment, 15 generators, and 4 helicopters for use. Residents in areas hard-hit by Cyclone Batsirai in February 2022 worried of exacerbated damage upon Freddy's arrival. Authorities in Le Tampon were mobilizing for the system's arrival. High seas prompted the closure of the Nouvelle route du Littoral with bus shuttles established to transport residents through inland routes to and from communities in the north and west. On 20 February, the RSMA-R mobilized 250 personnel for relief efforts. All service at Roland Garros Airport was suspended the same day, with service to resume following the cyclone's passage. A red alert for coastal flooding was issued for areas between Champs Borne and Pointe des Cascades. The city of Saint-Benoît opened two public shelters and closed all sporting facilities. Officials in Saint-Pierre postponed a local carnival for more than two weeks. Madagascar Cyclone Freddy threatened areas of Madagascar still reeling from the successive impacts of Cyclones Batsirai and Emnati in 2022; 874,000 people remained food insecure in the region. On 18 February, General Directorate of Meteorology issued warnings for the Analanjirofo and Sava regions, advising residents to take precautions as the cyclone was expected to make landfall. In the landfall area, Madagascar's weather service noted "torrential rains" and "very high to enormous seas" were of concern. Transportation services and schools were closed on 21 February. Residents at risk of Freddy placed sandbags over their homes' roofs for reinforcement. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Madagascar announced it was preparing for the cyclone. The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System estimated over 2.2 million people would be affected by Freddy's storm surge and flooding in the country. Tents, ropes, chainsaws, and other supplies have been sent by the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) to the eastern districts. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and its partners deployed 80 humanitarian staff to Mahanoro, Mananjary, and Manakara, and placed two aircraft on standby. The agency was unable to sufficiently allocate emergency supplies due to a lack of funding and shortages from Cyclone Cheneso the month prior. Mozambique and Malawi In February 2023, local reports had estimated over 600,000 people were expected to be affected in the country by the cyclone alone. Rainfall predictions reached south of Beira into Inhambane Province, with locally. Overall, a month's worth of rain was forecasted. The country's national meteorological service issued a red alert on 21 February. Freddy's intense and prolonged rainfall was also feared to worsen flooding in central and northern areas, affecting up to 1.75 million people, this rainfall also caused deadly landslides. Rescue teams, food supplies, tents, and boats were put in place to support the aftermath. During March 2023, as Freddy approached a second time, the Mozambique National Meteorology Institute (INAM) predicted torrential rains of more than in 24 hours in the provinces of Manica, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia. Peak rainfall was forecasted to be between . According to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), approximately 565,000 people were at risk, though a United Nations and European Union-led disaster alert predicted 2.3 million were at risk. Thousands were moved to evacuation shelters as precaution. Cyclone Freddy was expected to hit Malawi, and bring with it torrential rains and damaging winds to the southern region. Forecasts predicted accumulations of rainfall there could reach . The Ministry of Education ordered the suspension of all classes in districts at risk. ==Impact==

In general, Freddy produced extraordinarily heavy rains, primarily in Mozambique and Malawi. Heavy winds lashed areas as well, and infrastructure took heavy hits due to excessive flooding. Freddy's stalling over Mozambique and Malawi worsened the rains immensely. Mascarene Islands According to the MMS, the cyclone passed within of Mauritius, just north of Grand Bay. Strong winds and waves were observed along the northern coast of Mauritius. Flooding and gale-force winds also affected the country. According to media reports, there was one fatality, and at least 500 displaced families in a variety of shelters across Mauritius. Around 4:00 a.m. local time on 20 February, contact was lost with the Taiwanese-flagged fishing trawler LV Lien Sheng Fa with a crew of 16 just outside the territorial waters of Mauritius. The crew included a Taiwanese captain and 15 Indonesian fishermen. An alert was sent out by Taiwan's Fisheries Agency for the missing vessel on 23 February. Freddy impacted Réunion on 20–21 February, with its effects being relatively limited. Nearly 25,000 customers were left without power at the height of the cyclone; all but 500 had their service restored within a day. In Saint-Paul, 20 tons of mangoes were destroyed. Highway RD48 in Salazie was closed due to a landslide. Eleven mobile sites maintained by Orange S.A. were knocked offline in Tampon, Saint-Louis, and Saint-Paul. Madagascar Damage was less than expected due to Freddy's weaker-than-forecasted winds, and early preparations. In total, over 14,000 homes were affected, with 1,206 destroyed, 3,079 flooded, and at least 9,696 damaged. Freddy also left 79 schools roofless, and damaged or destroyed 37 and 6 respectively. The storm's effects caused more 11,000 to flee their homes. The impact zone of Freddy included 13-15 municipalities. Overall, the cyclone was responsible for seven deaths, and affected 226,000. On its second arrival, Cyclone Freddy brought severe rains to the southwestern portion of the country. Overall, 12,400 houses (6,000 of which were flooded, 900 of which were damaged, and 5,500 of which were destroyed) and 280 classrooms, some 28,000 students were prevented from attending school. Some damage was reported, primarily due to fallen trees and rooftops. Public infrastructure and services have also suffered widespread damage, including 60 health units, 1,012 schools. At least ten people died in the country during the first landfall. Over 166,600 were affected. Much of the southern half of the country saw rainfall totaling . Thousands of homes were damaged, with approximately 28,300 destroyed. Locals reported seeing roofs torn off houses, broken windows, and streets flooded in Quelimane. Sustained winds of , gusting up to were recorded in the city. All flights were suspended due to the inclement weather brought by Freddy. Communications and electrical supplies were cut early into the storm, hampering damage assessments. Power company Electricidade de Moçambique said that most areas had electricity restored by 11 March mid-afternoon. The nation's UNICEF chief of advocacy, communications, and partnerships, Guy Taylor, stated that there was "lots of destruction", and that Freddy was "potentially a disaster of large magnitude". Taylor also noted that rural areas were completely destroyed. Access to clean water was effectively cut off in Quelimane. State TV reported that hundreds were displaced in Freddy's wake. More than 650 houses in Marromeu District, and over 3,000 in Sofala province were affected by flooding. The nation saw a year's worth of rainfall in just 4 weeks. Locals said localized flooding was an issue even before landfall. In a preliminary satellite evaluation of of land, was estimated to be flooded. Widespread areas received over of rainfall, with smaller, localized pockets of , The old provincial hospital in Quelimane had its roof blown off, making supporting those in need more difficult. Many people were left homeless during the storm and took shelter in schools, the latter being turned into reception areas. Large amounts of crop fields were flooded as well. The INGD stated that the storm's effects on Mozambique were worse than expected. Freddy affected areas were initially deemed safe beforehand. At least 22 deaths from cholera were blamed on Freddy and the subsequent flooding. The National Roads Administration (ANE) claimed that NT18.3 billion (US$290 million) was required for road re-construction. Malawi Before Freddy arrived in Malawi, the country had been experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in history. Freddy's effects increased fears among the public that it would worsen. Rainfall was heaviest in the southern region of the country. These districts include Blantyre, Phalombe, Mulanje, Chikhwawa, and Nsanje. Flash floods devastated many regions, washing away homes and people and leaving infrastructure ruined. The entire nation experienced blackout due to the Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited (EGENCO) shutting down power to avoid further damage to power-generating machines. 180,000 people were displaced across the country and forced to evacuate their homes, with 500,000 affected in general. Among these 280,000 were children. There were also around 90 fatalities in Mulanje. In terms of rainfall, over a month's worth of rain was dumped in just a day, Over of general land was flooded, causing many smallholder farmers to have their crops and fields lost to the storm. Approximately 204,833 hectares of cropland were inundated - 84,930 being submerged and 119,930 were washed away. The storm struck just as farmers were about to harvest, compounding to local food insecurities in the nation. Farms were also damaged and many were destroyed. Livestock was severely impacted, with 194,500 dying and a further 91,000 being injured. Notable rainfall recordings include a record-setting in 24 hours in Phalombe District. Several other districts also reported in the same time range. During Freddy's extended stay in the country, visibility remained at near-zero levels. Several roads and bridges were cut, and many areas were cut off. Landslides across Chiradzulu Mountain blocked roadways, leaving Chiradzulu Boma inaccessible. districts suffered impacts from Freddy, equating to over half the country. Chakwera also said that 36 roads were broken, nine bridges washed away, and there were still many villages inaccessible by 20 March. Total damage across the nation was calculated at US$506.7 million. Elsewhere in mainland Africa Heavy rainfall extending from Freddy impacted eastern Zimbabwe for a prolonged period as it meandered over Mozambique and the Mozambique Channel. Manicaland Province in particular was heavily affected with continuous rainfall from 12 to 14 March. Observed rainfall totals include in Nyanga and in Mukandi. Crops were adversely affected in the Chipinge and Chiredzi districts. Heavy rainfall also occurred in Zambia. == Aftermath ==

Due to the storm striking during a historic cholera outbreak, water purification supplies were in critical need, and in short supply. Following Freddy, many countries sent relief aid to southern Africa, with a particular emphasis on the humanitarian disaster in Malawi. Among the items sent were hygiene supplies, food rations, and safe drinking water. Total donations reached the millions in USD, and there was a main focus on the region's historic and ongoing cholera outbreak. Several nations also expressed condolences to Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar. As a result of the major loss of life and damage in Malawi and surrounding countries, the name Freddy was removed from the rotating lists of Australian region cyclone names and it will not be used to name a storm in that basin again. The name Frederic was chosen to replace it in August 2025. Madagascar 64 tons of food relief rations were made available following Freddy's passing. WFP has sent a 6x6 truck carrying five metric tons of high-energy biscuits to Toliara as part of the emergency response. Mozambique UNICEF provided water purification supplies, medical items, tents, and hygiene kits among other things to help families and children. By 24 March 230 accommodation centers remained operational, housing 184,282 people. The WFP also provided 7-day rations of food through cash-based transfers for 17,545 people. He also provided MT250 million ($3.9 million) to Zambezia province to help restore everyday activities. The WFP requires $26.7 million to assist 541,000 people impacted by Cyclone Freddy. As a result of flooding caused by the storm as well as the cutoff of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services, cholera cases began to rapidly increase. At least 36 districts spanning 8 provinces are having outbreaks; the Inhambane and Zambezia provinces, which were heavily affected by Freddy, have declared outbreaks of cholera. The cumulative figure for the cases by 21 March stood at 11,158 across the provinces, and other waterborne illnesses such as diarrhea and malaria were of risk. The INGD did not have food and supplies for immediate response, significantly slowing emergency aid. Malawi By 18 March the Government of Malawi established 534 camps to house 508,244 displaced persons, equating to 101,648 households. Rescue teams were sent in Chilobwe, Machinjiri and Ndirande residential areas in Blantyre. Malawian citizens pooled resources to help displaced victims in Blantyre residential areas. Millions of children were at risk of an increase in cholera cases as well. Due to cholera being transmitted through contaminated water and food, Freddy's flooding rose worries of the disease spreading greatly. Chakwera also invited the country's former presidents to a caucus to discuss methods and strategies to respond to the cyclone. It took up to a week or more for families in cut off areas to receive aid, mostly by helicopters provided by Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi's defense force. The Everlasting Life Missionary Church donated assorted clothes to survivors in Zomba. They also fed children at camps, some of whom had not eaten at all since Freddy. They also sent out basic supplies such as body lotion, soap, and others. The crisis that ensued after Freddy also presented several negative mental health consequences among locals and frontline aid workers. Various protection services were interrupted (including childcare centers), and gender-based violence was highlighted as a prominent issue. Those affected also trafficked women, adolescent girls, and other children. Families were separated, leaving youth unattended and alone. EGENCO resumed operations at the Nkula and Tedzani power stations on 14 March as water along the Shire River returned to safer levels. Lazarus Chakwera declared a national two weeks of mourning for the victims of Freddy. The government promised $1.5 million for aid to those affected. The president surveyed the damage, calling it "far worse than the images and footage we've seen". The OCHA brought vital emergency supplies to the hardest-hit regions. These included medical items, hygiene kits, and even support boats from the World Food Programme for those trapped in floodwaters and rubble. By 16 March, Nsanje had set up 24 camps to accommodate 4,502 households, with Chikwawa having 21 camps for 8,837 homes. Malawian Former President Peter Mutharika has criticized the Chakwera administration of failing to evacuate people in the path of Cyclone Freddy before the disaster struck. ==See also==