More than 370,000 people could be affected by natural disasters during the current rainy season in the province of Inhambane, particularly floods, cyclones, strong winds, droughts and floods.
These projections were made known last Friday, 17 November, in Vilankulo, Inhambane province, in the south of the country, by the National Emergency Operations Centre (CNOE), at the launch of the integrated electronic platform for the dissemination and communication of cyclone and flood early warning information.
Of the three scenarios envisaged, the first, according to the CNOE, points to more frequent or minor threats, characterised by strong winds, lightning strikes and localised flooding in towns and cities, but with destructive effects on the most vulnerable communities.
In this context, it is estimated that more than 90,000 people could be affected by strong winds, 53,200 by floods and 143,500 by droughts. In total, 287,100 people are expected to be affected, corresponding to 57,435 families.
For the second prognosis, which is a combination of the first scenario, there is a risk of flooding in the river basins and cyclones.
The authorities estimate that 372,000 people are likely to be at risk, including 11,923 due to floods and 71,905 due to cyclones.
For the third forecast, which is the result of the combination of the second scenario and the first, there is a likelihood of earthquakes, which could affect 372,200 people, corresponding to 54,456 families (of which 1,276 are at risk of an earthquake).
“For the first quarter of 2023, normal rainfall is forecast for the districts of Govuro, Inhassoro, Vilankulo, Massimga, Morrumbene, Inharime, Zavala and parts of Mabote, Panda and Funhalouro,” said the CNOE.
The organisation’s director, Ana Cristina, explained that the integrated electronic platform for the dissemination and communication of early warning of cyclones and floods aims to respond to the occurrence of possible calamitous events that could strike the country during the current rainy and cyclonic season, as well as to prevent the loss of human life and material goods
