Zambezi River Basin

Table 2.1. Rainfall Trends in the Zambezi River Basin

2008-2009

The basin experienced flooding, displacing thousands of people in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia.

2007

Cyclone Favio-induced floods affected Mozambique and parts of Zimbabwe.

2005-2006

Parts of Mozambique, Southern Africa and Zimbabwe received very heavy rains resulting in flooding that caused considerable infrastructural damage, destroying schools, crops, telecommunications and roads. Southern Africa experienced abnormally high rainfall and disastrous floods causing damage to infrastructure and loss of lives and property, followed by a severe drought particularly from Zimbabwe northwards.

2001-2003

1999-2000

Cyclone Eline hit the region and widespread floods devastated large parts of central Mozambique and eastern Zimbabwe.

1994-1995

Many countries in the SADC were hit by a severe drought, surpassing the impact of the 1991- 1992 drought.

1991-1992

The worst drought in living memory was experienced in the southern Africa, excluding Namibia.

1986-1987

Drought conditions returned to the region.

1983

This year saw a particularly severe drought for the entire African continent.

1982

Most of subtropical Africa experienced drought.

1981-1982

Severe drought occurred in most parts of southern Africa.

1967-1973

This six-year period was dry across the entire region. Some records show a severe drought in 1967.

Source: SARDC and HBS 2010.

Destroyed homes following flooding in the Zambezi basin. © Zacpro 6.2 © L. Munjoma

Flooding of police camp at Luangwa River, Great East Road Bridge Zambia 2007.

Sena- Mutarara flooding in Mozambique. Source: Ara Zambeze

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