The National Meteorological Institute (INAM) warned on Thursday 11 January of the formation of an atmospheric low pressure system with the potential to develop into a tropical storm in the coming days.
“A low atmospheric pressure system has formed to the north-east of Madagascar, in the south-west Indian Ocean basin, with the potential to evolve into a moderate tropical storm on 14 January 2024,” the organisation said in a statement.
However, INAM explained that it is not yet a danger to the Mozambique Channel or the mainland, adding that it is monitoring its evolution.
“We call on the population to continue to follow the meteorological information and warnings issued by the competent national authorities, as well as to avoid being in risk areas,” he concluded.
Mozambique is considered one of the countries most severely affected by climate change in the world, facing cyclical floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, which runs from October to April.
The 2018-19 rainy season was one of the most severe on record in Mozambique: 714 people died, including 648 victims of cyclones Idai and Kenneth, two of the biggest ever to hit the country.
In the first quarter of last year, heavy rains and the passage of Cyclone Freddy through the country caused 306 deaths, affected more than 1.3 million people and destroyed 236,000 homes and 3,200 classrooms.
