The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) warned on Monday (2) of moderate to heavy rainfall, with precipitation exceeding 50 millimeters within 24 hours, in districts of the provinces of Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa in northern Mozambique. The alert is valid for this Tuesday, 3 February, and comes at a time when Mozambique continues to face the devastating consequences of floods affecting several regions since early January, according to Lusa.
According to INAM, atmospheric conditions remain unstable, with high humidity and low-pressure systems influencing weather patterns in the northern and central regions of the country. Authorities recommend that communities adopt preventive measures, particularly in riverside areas, where the risk of flooding is higher.
The latest data from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) indicate that the number of people affected by the floods has risen to 723,289, spread across 170,223 families. Since 7 January, 22 deaths, 45 injuries, and 9 missing persons have been recorded. In addition, 3,541 houses were partially destroyed, 794 completely destroyed, and 165,946 flooded.
In the agricultural sector, the damage is equally significant: 451,571 hectares of cultivated land have been affected, of which 275,765 hectares are considered lost, impacting the livelihoods of 332,863 farmers. In the livestock sector, 430,972 head of livestock—including cattle, goats, and poultry—have been lost.
Rescue and support operations for stranded families are ongoing, with particular focus on the provinces of Maputo and Gaza, where intense and continuous rainfall has isolated entire communities. The emergency response has been supported by international assistance, including contributions from the European Union, the United States of America, Portugal, Angola, Spain, Timor-Leste, Norway, Japan, and neighboring countries. Since the official start of the rainy season in October, the total number of fatalities nationwide has reached 146, with 148 injured and 844,295 people affected, according to INGD.
Meteorological authorities continue to urge community vigilance and the strengthening of precautionary measures, especially in areas prone to landslides and river overflows.
Source: Diário Económico
