The rainy season usually lasts from September to May, and flooding can affect the whole country, with particularly significant risks in northern areas. Landslides and rockfalls often follow intense rain or flooding. Drought and long dry periods also occur, while tsunami, earthquake, volcanic and tropical-cyclone risks are comparatively low. Príncipe has separate regional administration, but national coordination remains necessary for major emergencies. The Serviço Nacional de Protecção Civil e Bombeiros (SNPCB) is the national specialist and emergency authority. The Conselho Nacional de Prevenção de Riscos e Catástrofes (CONPREC) supports national disaster-risk governance. The Comissão Nacional de Protecção Civil e Bombeiros (CNPCB) and district or regional commissions coordinate response, together with local SNPCB delegations, the Regional Government of Príncipe, district administrations, the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, the Polícia Nacional, the Forças Armadas, maritime and aviation authorities, and the Cruz Vermelha de São Tomé e Príncipe. For immediate danger, call 112 for firefighters or 113 for the police; government contacts list both services as available around the clock. Use official radio, television and other available warning channels. São Tomé and Príncipe is still developing a nationwide multi-hazard early-warning system, including risk knowledge, monitoring and forecasting, warning communication, and preparedness and response. Under Lei 04/2016, authorities can declare a situation of alert, contingency or calamity. A district Câmara Distrital can issue a local alert, the Governo Regional can issue one for the autonomous region, and the Ministry of Internal Administration can issue a national alert or contingency declaration. The Council of Ministers declares calamity. These acts take effect immediately and can activate search and rescue, evacuation, shelter, water and food supply, resource mobilisation and measures for isolated areas. Evacuation is part of the emergency system, but no complete nationwide list of public assembly points or routes has been verified. Follow local instructions and do not return until authorities give permission. People have a right to risk and protection information and to self-protection education. In an exceptional emergency, authorities may requisition private goods or property with compensation for the actual damage. There is no verified general nationwide entitlement to cash payments, free accommodation or reconstruction. Residents must follow prevention rules, warnings and official instructions. In an alert, contingency or calamity situation, a person who is formally required to provide assistance may have to do so; resistance or non-compliance can constitute disobedience under Lei 04/2016. Licensed private companies may have additional cooperation duties. The 2021–2022 series of heavy rain, floods and landslides caused deaths, temporarily isolated the capital centre, destroyed more than 670 hectares of agricultural land and damaged drinking-water and sanitation systems. Recovery needs were estimated at about US$37.5 million, around 7% of 2022 GDP. Further flooding in March 2022 affected Lembá, Me-Zochi, Água Grande and Neves, while landslides and rockfalls on Príncipe in May 2022 partly destroyed two homes, affected 61 homes and 350 families, and damaged roads and farmland. A World Bank model estimates average annual flood damage at about 1.9% of 2020 GDP, rising to 2.8% in 2050 and 4.1% in 2080 under the modelled climate scenario. The model estimates about 18,500 people affected per year on average, increasing to about 23,000 by 2080; another World Bank country page gives approximately 30,000 people per year, reflecting a different model rather than an event count. Malanza and Santa Catarina show particularly high modelled exposure. Authorities assess damage and needs after an event. Recovery priorities include roads and bridges, homes, electricity and fuel, drinking water and sanitation, farmland, coastal and flood protection, and safe relocation. Planned and supported measures include resilient infrastructure, coastal adaptation, mangrove restoration, risk financing, emergency response planning, pre-positioned essential kits, first-responder networks, high-risk urban mapping, drainage and water-line improvements, training and evacuation exercises. Assistance, accommodation and financial or material support depend on the declared situation, emergency plans and available resources; no general fee schedule or guaranteed processing time has been established.
Disasters in São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe faces its greatest disaster risks from intense rainfall, river and flash floods, landslides, coastal flooding, storms and coastal erosion. Exposure is high because people, homes, roads and critical services are concentrated along coasts and rivers, while protection infrastructure and emergency data remain limited. The formal response system includes the Serviço Nacional de Protecção Civil e Bombeiros, local authorities, the police, armed forces, health services and humanitarian organizations.
Tip
Treat intense rain, flooding and landslides as the main threats when planning for disasters in São Tomé and Príncipe. Save the emergency numbers, monitor official warnings and decide in advance how you will leave an exposed home or workplace; do not wait for a complete nationwide warning system or return before authorities allow it.