Weather Alert: INAM warns of 41C highs as heatwave hits southern Mozambique

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Weather Alert: INAM warns of 41C highs as heatwave hits southern Mozambique

10:10 CAT | 26 Nov 2024

in file CoM

The Mozambican National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) warned this Tuesday of a “heatwave” that will affect three provinces in the south of the country, including Maputo, until Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius.

The alert issued by INAM is valid until the evening of November 27 and identifies as “risk areas”:

seven districts in Maputo province [Matutuine, Namaacha, Boane, Moamba, Magude, Manhiça and Marracuene] and the cities of Matola and Maputo;

14 districts in Gaza province [ Massingir, Chókwe, Chonguene, Bilene, Limpopo, Mandlakazi, Chicualacuala, Mapai, Massangena, Mabalane, Chigubo, Chibuto , Guijá and Chongoene] and the city of Xai-Xai,; and

five districts in Inhambane province [Zavala, Inharrime, Jangamo, Panda and Homoíne].

In this alert, INAM points to the continuation of “hot to very hot and humid weather”, which will cause a “heatwave”, with temperatures “that could vary from 37 to 41 degrees Celsius” on November 26 and 27.

“In addition, a change in the weather is expected at the end of the day on 27 November, characterised by strong gusty winds, rain and showers with thunderstorms”, reads the INAM warning.

“Given the discomfort caused by the forecast weather, it is recommended that safety precautions be taken”, it also stresses.

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

The 2018-19 rainy season was one of the most severe in Mozambique’s history: 714 people died, including 648 victims of cyclones Idai and Kenneth, two of the largest ever to hit the country.

In the first quarter of 2023, heavy rains and the passage of Cyclone Freddy caused 306 deaths, affected more than 1.3 million people in the country, destroyed 236,000 homes and 3,200 classrooms, according to official government data.

Source: Lusa / A Verdade