The National Meteorological Institute (INAM) warns of moderate to severe drought in some districts of the provinces of Gaza (in the south), Sofala and Tete (in the center of the country)..

Speaking at the National Climate Forecasting Forum, meteorologist Bernardino Nhantumbo said there was a likelihood of normal rainfall with a tendency to below normal, from October to January, which could affect the districts of Magude, Chibuto, Guijá and Mabalane, in Gaza, and Caia and Chemba, in Sofala, as well as Changara in Tete.

On the same occasion, Agostinho Vilanculos, from the National Directorate for Water Management, revealed that at least three million people could be affected by the above-normal rainfall that could occur during the country's next rainy season.

"These are people who are in areas prone to flooding. Of that number, around 300,000 people are expected to need assistance, the equivalent of 10% of the number of people affected," explained Agostinho Vilanculos, quoted in a publication from the Sunday newspaper.

Meanwhile, at the opening of the National Forum on Climate Prediction taking place in Maputo, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mateus Magala, pointed out that climate change is a phenomenon that deserves due attention.

According to Mateus Magala, the Mozambique Channel has been hit every year by three or four extreme phenomena with devastating impacts on the different sectors of the economy. "We are concerned about the devastating impact of extreme phenomena," he said.

(Photo DR)