Lightning has killed four people and left three others wounded in the northern town of Mogincual, in Nampula province, Mozambique.
Mozambique is bracing up for Storm Filipo, with the provinces of Sofal, Inhambane, Zambézia and Gaza placed on alert for severe thunderstorms on Monday night.
Storm Filipo reached the Mozambican coast and may turn into a severe tropical storm, before diffusing back to sea. The destructive winds and more than 250mm of rain could affect parts of the country as the tropical storm makes landfall.
There are fears of mudslides following increased rain over the past few days. Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has warned boats and vessel operators to take precautions.
Mozambique is prone to natural disasters, especially during the rainy and cyclone season which runs between October and April.
In December 2020, at least four persons were killed by lightning following torrents of rain and inclement weather conditions in Tete.
