OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Samoa - Floods
15 - 16 April 2001
(30 April 2001)


The Samoa National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) provided the
following information via UNDP Apia and the office of the OCHA Regional
Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji. The following
report contains extracts from an offical report released by the Apia
Meteorology Division published in the local Observer newspaper on 19 April
2001.


Situation and Damage

1.  Around midnight on Sunday 15 April 2001 heavy flash floods inundated
the lowlands around the town of Lepea and Moataa and rivers and streams
also overflowed causing flooding along the Upolu coast from Lepea to
Falefa in the east and Siumu in the south.

2.  According to the Meteorology Division, the mass of water rushing down
narrow riverbeds and streams to the open sea was the uphit of an
unpredictable micro-weather system. The Meteorological Division does not
have sufficiently sophisticated meteorological equipment at its disposal
for the detection of this type of weather phenomenon. Cycles of this type
last between 30 minutes and 6 hours, depending on the prevailing
atmospheric environmental conditions. Mini cells re-constitute themselves
and supply their own energy when atmospheric conditions favour their
development. Micro-weather systems can only be detected with hi-tech
weather watch radar instruments. Where these are in place advisory or
warning forecasts can be broadcast up to two hours ahead for severe
weather or thunderstorms.

3.  At midnight on 15 April rain measurements at Apia wharf reached 1.092
metres, and for the next two hours the water level topped the 1 metre
mark. With the impact of the high tide, the water overflowed into
vulnerable areas, especially areas with frail sedimentation.  A level of
200 millimetres of rainfall was recorded. The event has been recorded by
the Meteorology Division as an unusual case serving to highlight the need
for further scientific research into tropical weather patterns for Samoa.

4.  Most schools around Apia, especially those located close to rivers
(such as Vaisigano and Vaimoso) were temporarily closed for lack of water
for drinking and sanitation purposes. The Congregational Senior College
near the Vaisigano River was completely covered in mud and the school
closed for 2 weeks.  Alternative arrangements have been made for schooling
to be conducted in one of the Congregational Church's main halls.  All
those affected by the floods have been heavily occupied with clean up
operations over the last few days. Families and neighbours have lent each
other considerable support.

5.  So far no deaths have been reported as a result of the floods.  The
initial lack of potable water presented a problem in many areas but people
overcame this obstacle by obtaining water from unaffected neighboring
areas. The Samoa Water Authority has estimated USD 1.5 million in damages
to the water supply system but no clear details have emerged concerning
damage to other sectors.


National and International Response

6.  A state of emergency has not been declared and nor has the Central
Control Group assembled to discuss the event. In the meantime, the
national police, fire and rescue services have been providing immediate
assistance to those in need including the evacuation of some families from
flood areas in the Vaivase area.

7.  OCHA is in contact with relevant government authorities in Samoa and
UNDP Apia through its Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific,
and will revert with further information when available.

8.  This situation report, together with information on other ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int



Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. R. Mueller / Ms. S. De Souza / Mr. S. Matsuka 
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31 / 16 36 / 40 34

Press contact:
  Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-91726 53
  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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