Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) has warned that up to 600,000 people could be affected in the northern province of Nampula if Cyclone Kenneth makes landfall with maximum intensity.
INGC provincial delegate in Nampula, Alberto Armando, is quoted by state controlled Radio Mozambique as saying that it is on the basis of these projections that his department has taken precautionary measures, such as the positioning of material and personnel in areas with a high potential to be affected.
“Estimates indicate that more than 700,000 people could be affected by the storm in the entire provinces of Nampula and Cabo delgado while projections also point out that Nacala-Porto is the most vulnerable district, where 380 thousand people are at risk of being affected,” Armando reportedly said.
According to Armando, the authorities consider the possibility of urban flooding, erosion and floods as threatening, and the districts at risk are the ones closest to the province of Cabo Delgado, particularly Eráti, Memba, Nacala-Porto, Nacala-a -Velha, Ilha de Moçambique and Monapo.
“In Eráti we do not have many problems because people live far from the riverside area of the Lúrio river. In Memba, the estimate is 3,500 people, in Nacala a Velha there are 48 families, on the Island of Mozambique the number is also not very significant, people who were on the banks of the river Monapo, were withdrawn in 2017 to the highlands. However, there are still 70 households in risk areas. “
According to the official, in the district of Mossuril there are four thousand people, who could be affected if the river Monapo overflows.
“The greatest concern would be for Nacala Porto where a greater number is estimated due to population density and if there is this combined phenomenon of floods and erosion we are working to get people withdrawn. There are 385,000 of us also going to confirm these numbers, but this is the initial indication. “
Armando said that INGC teams are already in the districts identified working with their respective governments.
“We have also launched an appeal to other districts in the coastal zone and to maritime navigation so people are aware of the information being released,” he added.
On the other hand, INGC has already identified classrooms and other safe places to accommodate those affected and serve as temporary shelters before being sent to accommodation centers, if necessary.
Rain, according to the National Meteorological Institute, may reach Nampula province on Thursday night, at a time when some weather conditions have already changed in some districts where the sky is very cloudy and strong wind.
Mozambique is recovering from the impact of the deadly Cyclone Idai that hit the country and neighbouring Malawi and Zimbabwe in March.
The cyclone claimed more than 1,000 lives and left a trail of destruction.
CM/as/APA