Mozambican maritime authorities, ITRANSMAR, on Sunday suspended all shipping in the Mozambique Channel following torrential rainfall that has persisted since Friday, according to Radio Mozambique. The temporary measure remains in force for the duration of the stormy conditions.
The suspension applies to artisanal fishing vessels, small boats, coastal passenger services and recreational craft. ITRANSMAR has also instructed all vessels at sea to seek safe harbour, reiterating that the use of life jackets is mandatory at all times, even when navigation is officially authorised.
On land, authorities have issued flood warnings for southern and central river basins. The Southern Regional Water Board (ARA-Sul) has increased discharges from major dams in Maputo province, with releases from the Pequenos Libombos dam reaching up to 120 cubic metres per second and from the Corumana dam up to 50 cubic metres per second. ARA-Sul cautioned that these discharges, combined with storms further north, could trigger flooding along the Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomati, Save and Limpopo rivers.
Radio Mozambique reported widespread damage in Inhambane province, where agricultural fields have been submerged and families displaced from homes in Inhambane city, Maxixe and Vilanculo. Speaking on Friday, Luisa Meque, chairperson of the National Disasters Management Institute (INGD), warned that up to three million people could be affected by flooding during the current rainy season. She said evacuations from high-risk areas would begin once authorities complete ongoing assessments of water levels in major river valleys, which will determine the timing of relocation to safer zones.