The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) reported that Tropical Cyclone Gezani no longer poses a threat to Mozambique, having returned to the Indian Ocean. The institute clarified that the system moved parallel to the coast of Inhambane and did not reach the mainland, meaning the winds initially forecast were not fully experienced.
“It is important to highlight that the tropical cyclone passed and, fortunately, remained away from the coast of Inhambane, not reaching the mainland, which reduced its impacts. It is now heading towards the Mozambique Channel and no longer poses a threat to the provinces in the South and Central regions,” explained Adérito Aramuge, Director-General of INAM.
Cited by the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), Aramuge further clarified that any rainfall recorded in the provinces of Gaza and Maputo is not related to the cyclone, as the country is in the rainy season, a period when precipitation is considered normal. “It is necessary to distinguish these two events; the rains that may occur have no relation to the passage of Cyclone Gezani,” he said.
Meanwhile, Luísa Meque, President of the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), stated that families sheltered in centers in the city of Maxixe, one of the areas affected in Inhambane province, can now return to their homes.
“After evaluation visits to some neighborhoods, authorities found that minimum safety conditions for the population’s return were met. Eight shelter centers were activated in Inhambane, currently housing 871 people, corresponding to 109 families,” she added. Updated INGD data indicate that since the start of the rainy season in October, 856,000 people nationwide have been affected, with 215 deaths and 314 injuries. In addition, 137 accommodation centers were opened, hosting 112,900 people. Currently, 51 centers remain active, housing at least 41,197 people.
Since January 7, 246 health units, 635 schools, and five bridges have also been damaged. In the agricultural sector, floods affected 554,603 hectares of crops, of which 287,810 were lost, impacting 365,137 farmers. An estimated 530,998 livestock, including cattle, goats, and poultry, have also died.
Mozambique remains on red alert due to the current rainy season, a period marked by warnings of heavy rains and strong winds, especially in the Central and Southern regions, with authorities activating flood and inundation prevention measures.
The country is considered one of the most severely affected by climate change, cyclically facing floods and tropical cyclones. During the 2024-25 rainy season, Mozambique was hit by Cyclones Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude, which caused at least 313 deaths, injured 1,255, and affected over 1.8 million people.
Extreme weather events caused at least 1,016 deaths in Mozambique between 2019 and 2023, affecting around 4.9 million people, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estatística.
Source: Diário Económico
