The intense heat that has hit the south of the country in recent days has caused the loss of more than four thousand hectares of various crops in Maputo province alone.

In the last week, the maximum temperature has risen to 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a lack of rain, which is believed to be related to the El Niño phenomenon.

According to Maputo's Provincial Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mariamo José, speaking to journalists on Thursday (7), the situation for the main agricultural campaign 2023-2024 is quite delicate, as the heatwave is not only affecting agriculture, but also the fisheries sector.

"The situation is caused by the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by a lack of rain in this part of the country. This phenomenon occurs every two to seven years and lasts approximately nine to 12 months," said the official, quoted by AIM.

The source added that a growing number of people are in need of assistance in the southern provinces, where their food reserves are running low.

Recently, the authorities announced that more than 9,000 families are facing a food crisis in the district of Chemba, in Sofala province, as a result of the loss of around 25,000 hectares of various crops destroyed by the drought, which is believed to be related to the El Ñino phenomenon.