The Pequenos Libombos dam, which supplies Maputo, the country's capital, will today begin discharging to free up space in order to accommodate the rains of the new season, which begins this month and lasts until March.

As of today, a "slight increase in the levels" of the Umbelúzi River, which flows through the outskirts of Maputo, is expected, Mozambique's Southern Regional Water Administration (ARA-Sul) announced in a statement quoted by Lusa.

The goals are to "create storage capacity, minimize the impact of flooding, and maintain the operational safety of the infrastructure."

The dam was forced to open floodgates in January after heavy rains filled the reservoir after years of drought.

A contrast to previous years, in which it was at less than half capacity, constraining the water supply to the nation's capital and surrounding areas.

The Massingir dam in Gaza province will also discharge into the Limpopo River for the same reasons, ARA-Sul announced.