Maputo, 24 Mar (AIM) – Mozambique currently has just one meteorological radar station, a situation which increases the country’s vulnerability extreme weather events.
The one radar station that the country possesses is located in the central port city of Beira, and, according to Transport Minister Mateus Magala, the government’s priority is to acquire two more radars.
“One of the radars will be located in Xai-Xai, capital of the southern province of Gaza, and the other will be in Nacala, in the north”, said Magala. This will allow radar coverage of at least 1,200 kilometers of the Mozambican coast.
“But, as you know, our coastline is more than 2,600 kilometres long”, said the minister.
The radar in Beira has a range of 400 kilometers over the Indian Ocean and 400 more inland.
In the long term, Mozambique intends to acquire seven radar stations to respond to the need.
Magala was speaking in Maputo, during the Launch of the Mozambique’s Annual Report on the Status of the Climate, on the occasion of World Meteorological Day.
Due to the lack of radars, Mozambique does not have enough resources to make an accurate and timely description of climate events, resulting in the late reception of information leading to loss of life and property.
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