Using space technology in Mozambique to better respond to natural disasters

Cyclone Freddy holds the record for the longest-lasting land cyclone in recent history. Freddy formed in the Timor Sea and travelled more than 9,000 kilometres across the southern Indian Ocean before reaching Africa and dissipating after 38 days.

To support humanitarian efforts and following a request for satellite data from the UN, Canadian satellites from the RADARSAT Constellation mission imaged the flooding that the cyclone caused in Mozambique in March 2023. The RADARSAT satellite provided an image that was used to determine an estimate of the surface damage and the number of people affected by the flood. This type of data significantly enhances the abilities of emergency managers on the ground by giving them a clearer picture of the disaster area, which enables them to make informed decisions in their efforts to act quickly and save lives.