Sofala cyclone guide¶
Sofala is covered by the Instituto Nacional de Gestão e Redução do Risco de Desastres (INGD), which coordinates disaster risk management in Mozambique. In the provinces the Centros Operativos de Emergências (COEs) are the provincial arm of the national emergency operations centre, CENOE. The exact name of the INGD provincial delegation was not confirmed on an official page, so it is not given here. Storms here are tropical cyclones, and the season runs roughly November to April. Follow INGD and INAM for official alerts, and your local authorities for evacuation instructions.
Checked on October 10, 2026
Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from Instituto Nacional de Gestão e Redução do Risco de Desastres (INGD), through the provincial Centro Operativo de Emergência (COE). In an emergency, call 119 for the police or 198 for fire. The UK government's travel advice also lists 112 for ambulance, fire, and police.
What to know in Sofala¶
- The INGD plan for the 2025 to 2026 season estimates 136,171 people at risk in Sofala in its first scenario (strong wind, urban floods, and drought): 58,139 for strong wind, 35,994 for floods in cities and towns, and 42,038 for drought. These are planning estimates from the plan, not a forecast.
- The same plan says the cities of Maputo, Matola, Xai-Xai, Beira and Quelimane may see urban floods in the 2025 to 2026 season. For this page that includes Beira.
- INGD's plan says the CENOE has regional representations in Vilanculos (Inhambane), Caia (Sofala) and Nacala (Nampula), and that the provincial COEs are the provincial arm of the CENOE. For this province: COE de Sofala (Centro Operativo de Emergência) and the CENOE regional representation in Caia.
- The plan lists road sections at risk of being cut in Sofala, among them N283 (Marromeu to Caia, and Caia to Sena and Chemba), N1 (Nhamapaza to Rio Zangue, Mantenga to Punguè, and Rio Save to Muxungue), and N6 (Mutua to Tica).
- INGD's plan reports that the situation rooms of the CENOE and of the COE de Sofala were modernised as a measure to reduce vulnerability.
Emergency and information numbers¶
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| INGD emergency line (national) | +258-85-952-74-16 | INGD national line, Maputo. INGD also lists the landline 21 477211/13 and a Linha Verde (green line) 823441, which is not shown as a tap to call number. The INGD contacts page lists no provincial delegation. |
| INGD office, Maputo | +258-21-477-211 | Landline listed as 21 477211/13. Rua Gare de Mercadorias, nº 690, Av. das FPLM, Maputo. Office line, not for emergencies. |
| Provincial government (Governo da Província de Sofala) | +258-23-322-000 | Telephone listed on the national government portal's page of provincial governments. The page lists governors from an earlier period, so call to confirm the line. Office line, not for emergencies. |
| INAM provincial office, Sofala | +258-23-903-500 | Estrada manga, aeroporto nº4.030, Bairro da manga-mascarenha, C.P. 597. Secretaria line. The page also lists +258 82 4346827 for the centro de observações. Weather office, not for emergencies. |
| EDM electricity emergency line (piquete 24 hours) | 1455 | Electricidade de Moçambique lists Piquete 24h 1455. Keep away from fallen power lines. |
Official alerts and information¶
- INAM alerts (Alertas CAP): INAM's page of weather alerts. Check the date and the area on each one. Website.
- INGD: National news, emergency contacts, and annual contingency plans, in Portuguese. Website.
Evacuation centers¶
Open only when announced
Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.
INGD's contingency plan describes temporary accommodation centres (centros de acomodação temporária) where people evacuated because of floods or cyclones are moved, with food assistance provided there. The plan gives no public list of centres for this province. Follow INGD, INAM, and your local authorities for where to go.
Related guides¶
- Should I evacuate?
- What to expect at a cyclone shelter
- Cyclone supply list
- After a cyclone: the first 24 hours
- Insurance claims and disaster aid
Sources¶
Checked on October 10, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.