More than 160,000 people could be affected by natural disasters during the current rainy and cyclonic season in the central province of Manica, the authorities have announced.

According to the head of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management department at the INGD, Manica delegation, Vernito Gonga, a contingency plan is currently being implemented to reduce the effects of extreme weather.

"The actions consist of pre-positioning three boats in the districts of Tambara and Sussundenga to help victims in the event of watercourses overflowing," said the official, quoted by Rádio Moçambique, noting that food, tents and other goods are also being allocated to districts prone to rain, strong winds and floods, due to the increase in river flows.

Nevertheless, Vernito Gonga said that in partnership with local leaders, the people are instructed to withdraw to safe areas.

Last year, the government estimated that natural disasters had cost the country 1.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) over the last 20 years, highlighting floods and severe droughts, as well as the most recent health crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, as the most devastating natural shocks to the economy.