We worked on behalf of the World Bank to provide technical assistance during the early recovery phase following Cyclone Freddy in Malawi. Focusing on critical infrastructure in the Shire River Basin and Blantyre area, we provided advice to support recovery and future resilience.
Through our work with international development and humanitarian organisations across the globe, we aim to increase awareness and adaptation to the growing risks of climate change. The weeks and months following a disaster can provide a critical window of opportunity to contextualise the event, and for understanding the impacts, causes and vulnerabilities. This information can be used to “build back better”, preventing the mistakes of the past from being repeated, and to target investments where they will be most impactful.
In recent years, Malawi has experienced a series of devastating tropical cyclones, including Cyclones Chedza (2015), Idai (2019), Ana and Gombe (2022), and most recently Freddy in 2023. These events have caused significant loss of life, loss of livelihoods and damage to infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for resilient recovery strategies.
To support recovery efforts, we conducted a detailed investigation into Cyclone Freddy’s meteorological, climatological, and hydrological context, placing it within the broader history of floods and cyclones in Malawi.
These data, together with insights gathered during site inspections and local consultations, were used to identify infrastructure failure mechanisms and contributing factors during the cyclone. The findings of this analysis were used to review and strengthen existing flood design parameters, and engineering design, construction and maintenance practices.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts in climate, flood and infrastructure engineering worked closely with government agencies responsible for weather forecasting, infrastructure and disaster management. Together, we reviewed local data, conducted workshops and site visits, and gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by those managing critical infrastructure during extreme events.
Using cyclone tracking and satellite datasets, alongside local weather and river monitoring data provided by Government agencies, we described the evolution and impact of Cyclone Freddy. This collaborative effort helped identify opportunities to strengthen early warning systems and disaster response strategies.
Our analysis identified opportunities for short-term and impactful infrastructure investments that would deliver meaningful support and improvements during the recovery and rehabilitation period.
Recommendations focused on reducing future vulnerabilities and supporting sustainable recovery, including:
To learn more about our work in Malawi, contact our team.
Contact our team to learn more about this project.
