Maputo, 27 Oct (AIM) – About 439,000 people could be affected by extreme weather events during the 2026/27 rainy and cyclone season in the central Mozambican province of Sofala, according to a contingency plan budgeted at 43 million meticais (around of 672,000 US dollars at the current exchange rate)
According to the contingency plan approved on Monday at the first meeting of the Provincial Emergency Operations Committee (COE), the projected number of people affected is based on weather forecasts associated with the El Niño weather phenomenon.
According to Aristides Armando, delegate of the country’s relief agency in Sofala, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD), said the projected number represents more than 10 percent of the province’s population.
Rosita Fernando, the INAM delegate in Sofala, said rainfall was expected to be irregular and below average. However, the forecast did not include possible rainfall associated with a cyclone.
Despite the prospect of severe drought in some districts, the INGD has warned of a risk of moderate flooding between January and March in the Savane, Búzi, Púnguè and Save river basins, as well as in the Beira city. These locations will receive particular attention during the rainy season.
Sofala is still recovering from the effects of floods earlier this year. According to the INGD, around 280,000 people in the province are currently facing food insecurity following flooding that affected the four river basins at the beginning of the year.
To address the situation, the climate insurance mechanism under the World Bank-funded Rapid Response Programme (RAP) has been activated to provide direct assistance to 280,000 people, representing around 45,000 households.
The provincial Emergency Operations Committee is due to meet again next week to decide on the pre-positioning of emergency supplies, food and rescue teams ahead of the rainy and cyclone season.
(AIM)
Zt/Am/