The National Disaster Management Agency Hosts the 7th INMACOM Disaster Management Task Team Meeting

23 January 2025

The Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) hosted the 7th INMACOM Disaster Management Tas Team (DMTT) in Centurion, South Africa. The meeting was held at the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) offices.

The meeting was attended by member state delegates from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) South Africa, the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) Eswatini, Direcção Nacional de Gestão de Recursos Hídricos (DNGRH) Mozambique and Administração Regional de Águas do Sul (ARA Sul IP) Mozambique. There were also key stakeholders from the NDMC, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Eswatini, Instituto Nacional de Meteorologica (INAM) Mozambique, South African Weather Services (SAWS).

The meeting reflected on the observed weather and events since the start of the rain season in the Incomati and Maputo basins (from October 2024 to January 2025). Different delates detailed how the forecast had predicted normal to above nomral rains from October but instead, there were periods of intense heatwaves and very little rainfall. Dam levels dropped and cross border flows were strained, resulting in discussions of possible of restrictions and a review of cross border flows.

In December, all member states reported a sudden turn, where there were heavy rains, cyclones and flooding. These events resulted in massive economic losses and some losses of life. The dam levels recovered, and some were overflowing at the time of the meeting. There was a need for dam releases at Pongolapoort Dam due to a management rule that requires the dam level to be kept at 85% full. Eswatini reported ongoing efforts to count the cost of damaged infrastructure, including gauging stations. Mozambique saw a significant improvement at Corumana Dam, which had dropped below 30% and sat close to 48% at the time of the meeting.

The DMTT renewed its commitment to improve forecasting by running hydrological models concurrent to the regional forecasts. This will give a clearer picture of the expected impact on the water sector. The meeting resolved to source cyclone forecasts because the basin is prone to such. The Secretariat was tasked with mobilizing for resources to developing a forecasting tool for both basins and to improve the data capturing for droughts, floods and incidents of pollution.

The NDMC gave meeting delegates a tour of their facilities and explained their operations. This was part of experience sharing and a platform to identify possible areas for collaboration in the disaster response sphere.