A tropical storm that could develop into a cyclone is expected to hit northern and central Mozambique starting Tuesday, with strong winds and flooding that could affect between 25,000 and 300,000 people, the Red Cross announced.

"A cyclone is expected to hit the northern region of Mozambique on Monday, the International Federation of the Red Cross said in an emergency plan published Friday, based on forecasts with 60% reliability, which is cited by Lusa.

The country is going through the rainy and cyclonic season, which takes place annually between October and April, and usually brings storms and cyclones from the Indian Ocean against the east coast of southern Africa.

Torrential rains and strong winds, which could reach 166 kilometers per hour in the worst case scenario, are expected in the provinces of Sofala, Nampula and Zambezia, where about half of the country's 30 million people live.

According to information advanced by Lusa, the Red Cross predicts that at least 25,000 people will be affected, but if the worst predictions come true the number could reach 300,000.

The humanitarian organization's plan predicts the destruction of various infrastructures and houses (most of which are poorly built), loss of agricultural production with worsening food insecurity, lack of drinking water, and increased risk of stagnant water-related diseases such as cholera and malaria.

The impact is likely to intensify the internal displacement of rural residents to urban spaces where there is already a shortage of decent housing and where the covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult to find work.

The Red Cross operation will focus on "preparedness measures in the regions of Sofala, Nampula and Zambezia, as the path of the storm or cyclone forms over the next 48 hours," reads the document, according to which there are 880 volunteers ready to go into action.

Some will survey immediately after the first impact of the storm, others are already placing relief materials and equipment in various locations in advance, as well as preparing reception centers.

Source Lusa