- Nine people were reported dead as of Wednesday.
- It is estimated that some 53,000 people will be affected by the floods.
- Mozambique’s regional water administration has warned of discharges from rivers and dams.
Extreme rainfall in the southern parts of Mozambique and neighboring southern countries over the past two weeks prompted a red alert for persistent flash flooding across Mozambique.
The situation in Maputo is particularly worrying due to the heavy rains in South Africa and Eswatini, and the massive flows of water that are being produced by the rivers of those countries.
In the past two weeks, Maputo has suffered structural damage and aid agencies estimate that “at least 39,225 people (7,845 families) have been affected, including 14,792 displaced people.”
Nine deaths were reported.
The National Institute of Meteorology issued a warning that Mozambique could see an additional 10 days of heavy rain and wind.
As a result, according to authorities’ estimates, weather conditions and water discharges from upstream dams could impact 53,000 people in total.
READ | Gauteng and Mpumalanga governments on high alert after heavy rain weather warning
Partners in humanitarian work are watching the situation and preparing to help the government.
The rainy or cyclone season in Mozambique began in October last year, which is the estimated start of the rainy season in the region.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), since October last year there have been a total of 89,029 people (16,304 families) affected, 101 injured and 93 dead throughout Mozambique.
OCHA added that 1,180 reported houses were completely demolished, 3,318 partially destroyed and 11,493 flooded.
There were numerous reports of damage to public services and infrastructure, including 3,489 km of roads, 36 power poles, 328 schools, and 18 health care facilities.
dam discharges
The Mozambique regional water administration (ARA) on Wednesday requested the evacuation of people, livestock and valuables as a precautionary measure, given the “continuation of high flows from upstream countries, considering the fill level of the main dams in the southern region of the country, and mitigate flooding and guarantee the integrity of the infrastructures”.
ARA said the Corumana dam on the Sabie river, an irrigation and hydroelectric facility, “will increase discharges from the current 500m3/s to 800m3/s.”
This would affect road traffic in the area and make human settlements unsafe.
READ ALSO | State of disaster declared for flooding as forecasters warn of more downpours, stress on rescuers
The Massingir dam, in Gaza province, will increase flows from 500 m3/s to about 1,000 cubic meters and, with discharges “associated with the outflow of the Limpopo River and its tributaries, downstream stations, including Chókwè, will exceed the alert level in the next 48 to 72 hours, possibly flooding the lowlands, restricting access on sections of road,” ARA said.
On Sunday, the government said damage to infrastructure after the floods would be assessed.
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