Southern Mozambique on alert over 40C temperatures

Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has warned of a “heat wave” that will hit three provinces in the south of the country this Sunday, including Maputo, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius.

The warning issued by INAM, which follows another similar warning issued last Friday, is valid until midnight this Sunday and identifies as “risk areas” two areas in the province of Inhambane, seven in the province of Maputo, in addition to the capital and Matola, and 10 areas in Gaza, in addition to the city of Xai-Xai.

“INAM predicts the occurrence of a heat wave characterized by hot weather with maximum temperatures ranging from 33 to 39 degrees Celsius,” the warning said.

“Due to the discomfort caused by the expected weather, it is recommended to take safety measures,” INAM emphasizes.

Mozambique is considered one of the countries most affected by climate change in the world, facing cyclical floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, which runs from October to April.

The 2018/2019 rainy season was one of the worst in Mozambique’s history, with 714 deaths, including 648 from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, the two largest ever to hit the country.

According to official government data, heavy rains and Cyclone Freddy killed 306 people in the first quarter of last year, affected more than 1.3 million people in the country, and destroyed 236,000 homes and 3,200 classrooms.

In late September, Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi called on the population and regions to prepare for the predictable impacts of the El Niño phenomenon in the country in the coming months, predicting above-normal rainfall and outbreaks of drought.

“History repeats itself. So, we must create conditions of resilience. In this sense, the government will issue regular warnings to keep the population informed and prepared for weather conditions that may be unfavorable for life, production or infrastructure,” the head of state said.