Management of Meteorological and Hydrological Hazards in the East Coast of Africa

Abstract

Meteorological and hydrological hazards such as tsunamis and cyclones remain development challenges, especially in the East Coast of Africa, due to the high level of vulnerability and limited adaptive capacity (UNDRR, 2023; IPCC, 2022). Communities already experiencing these disasters often lack the institutional capacity and socio-economic resilience required to implement effective mitigation strategies or engage in comprehensive disaster risk reduction. This study critically examines the complexity of managing tsunamis and cyclones on the East Coast of Africa. It focuses on the vulnerability and risk exposure of areas along the East African coast to weather- and water-related hazards. It evaluates the current systems and institutions responsible for managing these threats and identifies key gaps, including weak infrastructure, limited funding, and poor coordination. Employing a qualitative meta-synthesis grounded in the PRISMA framework, the research delineates seven core vectors in the management of meteorological and hydrological hazards, namely: vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, preparedness, mitigation, response, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Finally, it puts forward recommendations to help strengthen disaster preparedness and response. The overarching aim is to foster a more proactive and unified approach to addressing climate risks in one of the region's most at-risk zones.