What You Need to Know
Mozambique’s National Disaster Management Institute (INGD) is implementing precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of potential floods caused by ongoing heavy rains. The agency is positioning teams and resources to ensure a rapid response, particularly in the southern and central provinces, where previous flooding has already caused significant damage. Authorities are urging public vigilance
Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique’s relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD), has announced that it is putting into motion actions to minimise the impact of possible floods, resulting from persistent heavy rains in the southern and central provinces.
At a meeting in Maputo on Saturday of the Disaster Management Technical Council, the INGD chairperson, Luisa Meque, said “preparatory measures are being implemented, including the positioning of teams, accommodation centres and resources to guarantee a rapid response if necessary”.
Catastrophic flooding overwhelmed parts of central and southern Mozambique in January. But the rainy season is far from over, and the danger of further flooding remains.
Over the past week more torrential rain fell, particularly on Maputo and Gaza provinces. Once again, the Gaza provincial capital, Xai-Xai, was inundated.
Cited by the independent television station STV, Meque said further flooding was occurring in many areas, because the soils are saturated thanks to January’s rainfall. She urged constant public vigilance, and preparation by the authorities.
“The level of rainfall has been declining”, she added, “but the soils are already completely saturated, and the amount of water that is falling does not help matters. The soils cannot absorb this water, and so we find flooded areas in several cities and towns”.
The INGC had already been closing several of the accommodation centres set up for flood victims. “But if necessary”, declared Meque, “we are ready to reactivate and reopen these centres”.
The attention of the authorities, she said, is concentrated on Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala, and Maputo provinces, and on Maputo city, where the worst flooding had occurred in January.
She stressed that the preparations being made by the INGD seek to reduce risks, protect lives and guarantee the safety of critical infrastructures.
Among the facilities at risk are 25 schools and seven health units. The INGD estimates that some 89,000 people could be at risk.
The National Meteorological Institute (INAM) warns that over the next three days moderate to heavy rains are expected all over the country, particularly in Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Nampula, Manica, Sofala, Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo provinces.
In some areas, there could be rainfall of between 50 and 200 millimetres.
Meque again urged people to evacuate low-lying, flood prone areas, and move their agricultural equipment to higher ground.
Mozambique has a history of devastating floods, particularly during the rainy season, which typically spans from November to April. In January, catastrophic flooding affected central and southern regions, prompting the INGD to take proactive measures to prepare for further incidents. The current situation is exacerbated by saturated soils from previous rains, increasing the risk of additional flooding in vulnerable areas. The INGD’s efforts are crucial in safeguarding lives and infrastructure as the rainy season continues.
