Maputo, Sept. 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's government has acknowledged that it will introduce gradual restrictions on water use if a severe shortage occurs in the coming months due to the El Niño phenomenon, prioritising human consumption, healthcare, critical food production and water supplies for livestock.
The measure, announced today in a statement by the Government Information Office, forms part of the plan to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of the phenomenon during the 2026/2027 rainy season, which provides for the monitoring of reservoir levels, flows in the main rivers and groundwater levels to enable an early response to any reduction in water availability.
«In situations of greater scarcity, gradual restrictions may be imposed on lower-priority uses,» the press release issued today said, indicating that water resource management will need to progressively define priorities for water use.
Among the uses considered a priority are human consumption, health, critical food production and livestock watering, against a backdrop of forecasts of an intensifying El Niño and below-normal rainfall across much of Mozambique.
In agriculture, the government plans to strengthen adaptation measures, including drought-tolerant seeds, conservation agriculture, rural extension and small-scale irrigation where sustainable water sources are available, as well as providing watering points for livestock.
The authorities also intend to ensure that health facilities, schools and other strategic infrastructure have contingency plans and minimum reserves in place to maintain operations during any periods of disruption or reduction in the water supply.
These preparations form part of a mitigation plan valued at around $401 million (€349.2 million), of which $125 million (€108.9 million) has already been secured through external support, according to the Minister for Public Works, Housing and Water Resources.
«The government is aware of the scale of this challenge, which is why it has decided to act before the most severe effects are felt and has drawn up a Mitigation Plan valued at around $401 million,» said Fernando Rafael at the opening of the 12th Coordinating Council of the ministry he heads, on Thursday.
The plan provides for emergency food aid for 343,773 people, corresponding to around 68,755 households, whilst social protection measures are expected to cover around 234,000 households. In agriculture, interventions are planned for more than 155,000 farmers and 90,500 livestock farmers.
«The response will be implemented in phases, beginning with preparation and immediate response, followed by recovery and stabilisation, and subsequently the strengthening of resilience and prevention,» said the minister, noting that the measures cover the sectors of water resources, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, health, education, social protection and food aid.
According to the government, the most recent forecasts point to El Niño strengthening in the coming months, whilst the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) regional climate outlook predicts a higher probability of below-normal rainfall across much of Mozambique between October and December, increasing the need for drought preparedness, maintaining river flows, and protecting water supply systems.
EYMZ/ADB // ADB.
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