Severe thunderstorm kills 9, injures 14 and leaves 500 homeless, Mozambique
Image credit: Craig Smith
A severe thunderstorm hit Mozambique's northernmost province of Niassa on January 9, 2019, killing 9 people. Rainy season in Mozambique runs from October to March.
Friday Tabo, an official at the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) in Niassa said 9 people were killed by lightning and 14 injured.
This brings the total number of people killed by lightning in the same region since October 2018 to 30.
The storm left more than 500 people homeless after their houses were either partially or totally destroyed. 36 classrooms were also damaged, affecting 2 800 pupils.
Tabo urged people to avoid being exposed to the phenomenon and avoid seeking shelter under trees or electricity pylons.
"In addition, they should avoid getting in touch with metallic objects during periods of rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, and avoid all acts conducive to attacks by atmospheric discharges," Tabo said.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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