Mozambique prepares for El Niño drought impacts

The Mozambican government is implementing a preparation and mitigation plan to address the potential impacts of El Niño during the 2026/2027 rainy season. Regional forecasts from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) suggest a high probability of below-average rainfall across much of the country, increasing the risk of severe drought, particularly in the southern and central regions.

To protect food security and public health, the government intends to establish a hierarchy of water usage priorities. Essential uses such as human consumption, health services, critical food production, and livestock watering will be prioritized. In the event of worsening scarcity, the government may impose gradual restrictions on lower-priority water uses.

Agricultural strategies include the widespread distribution of drought-tolerant seeds, the promotion of conservation agriculture, rural extension services, and small-scale irrigation where sustainable water sources exist. For the livestock sector, the plan focuses on securing water points to reduce animal mortality and prevent the forced sale of livestock by affected families. Additionally, authorities will monitor river flows, reservoir levels, and groundwater to enable early intervention.