Last week, the African nation of Mozambique was hit by 100-mile-an-hour winds and more than seven inches of rain, causing a flood that destroyed thousands of homes and killed hundreds. Cyclones aren’t new on the coast of Mozambique, but climate change does intensify these storms and raise the risk of catastrophic floods.
As cities like Beira, which was hit hardest by the recent storm, prepare to rebuild, new techniques need to be implemented that will prevent so many homes from being damaged again. Fortunately, a sustainable development agency has been working in Mozambique for the past few years to experiment with new techniques to create low-cost homes that are resistant to cyclones.
For example, the agency has built homes with foundations that use soil, stone and cement to reduce the risk of flooding. The homes also feature roofs that are designed to deal well with strong winds while simultaneously collecting rainwater. It may seem too early to think about rebuilding, but considering that the model homes created by this agency are still standing despite the storm, it’s important that the government considers the agency’s durable designs when the country gets rebuilt.
