Gaza experiences unprecedented rain all – aimnews.org

Maputo, April 5 (AIM) – The regions affected by the “El Niño” climate phenomenon, in the province of Gaza, southern Mozambique, recorded unprecedented levels of precipitation during the current rainy season.

“El Niño” is a climate phenomenon that arises from the anomalous warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that often disrupts precipitation patterns, leading to periods of drought in Southern Africa.

Data from the National Institute of Meteorology of Mozambique (INAM) show that districts in northern Gaza, historically affected by the El Niño phenomenon and generally arid or semi-arid, received in just one week the equivalent of the precipitation of an entire rainy season.

The current rainy season, which runs from October to April, has reversed a prolonged cycle of severe drought that lasted almost a decade.

According to climatologist Isaías Raiva, the districts of Massangena, Mabalane, Chicualacuala, Massingir and Mapai recorded between 400 and 500 millimeters of rain in just seven days. These volumes correspond to the accumulated average of the entire rainy season in these parts of Gaza, during normal years.

“We are talking about very large and extreme rainfall, never before recorded at this level in the semi-arid areas of Gaza,” he said.

The scenario contrasts sharply with the reality since 2016, a period marked by a sharp drop in rainfall in the north of the province. INAM data, based on analyzes of historical series, indicate a trend of progressive reduction in precipitation, aggravated by recurrent episodes of El Niño, responsible for prolonged droughts.

In recent years, accumulated precipitation has been below average, with long periods of no precipitation recorded during the rainy season. The result was crop losses, animal deaths and increased social vulnerability.

Now, exceptional rains may be a relief. Soil recovery, replenishment of water reserves and regeneration of pastures could boost agricultural production and livestock farming, the basis of the local economy.

Even so, the phenomenon raises concerns. The intensity of the rains is already causing flooding, soil erosion and damage to infrastructure, especially in areas poorly prepared for extreme events.

Given this new climate pattern, Rabies calls for mitigation and adaptation actions. “We have to prepare communities to live with these changes, because the climate will not return to normal immediately,” he said.

The 2025 State Climate Report highlights changes not only in precipitation, but also in other indicators such as sea surface temperature and sea level.

Severe flooding hit Gaza in January and again in March, and forced the temporary closure of around 240 businesses.

According to the country’s Confederation of Business Associations (CTA), cited by the independent newspaper “O País”, the situation impacted more than 3,000 workers.

“This number could further increase, as the assessment of the damage in the affected districts continues. Of the total number of workers affected, around 24 percent have permanent contracts, while the remainder are seasonal”, says the CTA.

However, the full extent of losses is still difficult to calculate, as many agricultural areas remain submerged.

According to data updated on March 31 by the relief agency, National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), the current rainy season has already caused 309 deaths and affected around 1.06 million people across the country since October.
(AIM)
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