The imminence of flooding in the coastal districts of Angoche, Larde, Moma and Mogovolas, in the middle zone, crossed by the Meluli River, has led the Nampula provincial government to call for the immediate withdrawal of the population and their property from these places.
According to the National Meteorological Institute (INAM), quoted by Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), Nampula province is under the influence of a low-pressure system, characterised by weak to moderate, locally heavy rainfall.
This information was shared on Saturday afternoon, 8 February, during a session of the provincial Emergency Operations Centre (COE). Until 20 February, INAM predicts the occurrence of weak to moderate, locally heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and weak to moderate winds, with accumulated rainfall of between 100 and 125 millimetres.
Due to this level of rainfall, the Meluli river basin is likely to flood, putting around 36,000 people at risk. In view of these facts, the Secretary of State for Nampula, Plácido Pereira, has issued guidelines for the removal of the population at risk to safe locations.
This measure followed detailed information from the director-general of the Northern Regional Water Administration (ARA-NORTE), Carlitos Omar, who warned of a significant rise in the levels of the main basins in Nampula province, namely Meluli, Ligonha and Monapo, as a result of the persistent rain over the last few days.
According to Omar, floods of moderate to high magnitude have already been recorded in the communities of Macanha, Lalane, Nathere and Cerema, in the district of Larde, as well as in agricultural fields in the villages of the administrative post of Aube, in the district of Angoche. Meanwhile, teams have been sent to the field to monitor the situation, at a time when the National Roads Administration (ANE) is working to repair the cuts on some roads.
‘The Meluli river basin requires our attention, it is rising in level and around 36,000 people are at risk. Joint multisectoral teams, coordinated by the INGD, have already moved into the field for possible assistance,’ said Pereira.
The Secretary of State also reinforced the appeal to the population living in the riverside areas, urging them to leave immediately and to follow the warnings of the state institutions responsible for safety and disaster management. ‘Safe places have been identified, such as classrooms, among others, and the authorities will indicate where the population should go, taking their safety into account,’ assured Pereira.
