Cyclone Idai (Malawi): First Steps After Natural Hazard

The assessment will focus on the rapid visual assessment of the bridges financed by the World Bank and will be supplemented by a baseline data analysis of the infrastructure sectoral data assessment from government, humanitarian partners, development partners, and private sector sources. The assessment will provide (i) a detailed estimation of the damage and recovery needs related to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Idai for bridges; (ii) detailed, costed, and prioritized needs for recovery for all included sectors of the scope of work, but primarily bridges; (iii) recommendations to improve resilience, especially for the most vulnerable sectors as well as guidance and standards for integration of climate risk in infrastructure design; (iv) an overall recovery strategy.

Three (3) main roads have been damaged. East Bank road (Thabwa to Fatima) is completely damaged, currently it is not possible to reach Fatima. M1 road next to Kamuzu Bridge in Chikwawa has been completely cut off. On Makanjira road, four bridges have been washed away rendering the area completely cut off. In addition, at Mpathamanga a bridge on Old Mwanza road has completely been washed away.