Maputo, Feb. 10, 2026 (Lusa) - The Mozambican authorities have activated emergency cyclone measures for some southern and central provinces that may be affected by a tropical storm in the Mozambique Channel, which is expected to develop into a cyclone.
"Given this scenario (...), the Technical Council for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction [CTGD] has activated early cyclone measures for the province of Sofala, as well as in the southern region," according to a joint statement from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) and the National Emergency Operations Centre (CENOE).
According to the Mozambican authorities, national hydrometeorological forecasts point to the passage of tropical storm "Gezani" in the Mozambique Channel, which is expected to develop into a cyclone on Thursday, affecting the coastal regions of the provinces of Sofala, Inhambane and Gaza, as well as putting the coastal basins of Inhambane, Mutamba, Save and Limpopo at high risk of flooding and extreme rainfall, and the basins of Incomati and Umbelúzi at moderate risk.
The INGD and CENOE recommend taking measures in response to the alert, including reinforcing the security of house roofs, doors and windows with resistant material, preparing a basic survival kit, including food, essential clothing, blankets, medicines, personal identification documents and water, storing food, documents and school supplies in safe places, and finding out about safe places to shelter from local authorities and Local Committees for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction.
The document also calls for small boats to be removed from the water to safe locations, with widespread dissemination of warning messages to the public through community radio stations, the media, Local Committees for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (CLGRD) and other means.
"Local authorities, with the support of the CLGRD, should, where necessary, assist the population in moving to safe locations, paying particular attention to vulnerable people (children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities). Prepare locations previously identified as accommodation centres, ensuring basic conditions for the reception of people, including water and sanitation," it adds.
The Mozambican authorities also reiterate the importance of everyone's collaboration and call for constant attention to the upcoming communiqués and warnings issued by the relevant authorities.
Mozambique's National Directorate for Water Resources Management (DNGRH) warned on Monday that around one million people could be affected by the developing cyclone.
The bad weather is also expected to affect around 1,600 health facilities, as well as 600 kilometres of the electricity grid, the official said.
Since the beginning of the rainy season in Mozambique in October, including the January floods, there have been 202 deaths, 291 injuries and 852,285 people affected, according to an update on Tuesday by the INGD.
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