Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican authorities today warned of a moderate risk of flooding in river basins in the central region of the country over the next 48 hours, which could cause urban flooding in the city of Quelimane, in Zambézia province.
In a statement, the National Directorate for Water Resources Management (DNGRH) warns that, in light of weather forecasts and the hydrological situation over the next 48 hours, the Licungo, Namacurra, Raraga, Melola, Molócuè and Zambezi (Licuare sub-basin) river basins, as well as the coastal basins of Zambézia, in central Mozambique, may record a significant increase in runoff volumes, potentially exceeding alert levels, with impacts on road accessibility and agricultural areas.
“A moderate risk of urban flooding is also forecast for the city of Quelimane,” the document states, with forecasts extending until Tuesday.
Among the areas that may be affected, the DNGRH foresees flooding and restricted road access in the district of Maganja da Costa, in the administrative posts of Nante, Vila Valdez, Yassopa and Ntabo, and in Namacurra, in Furquima, Mbawa, Muebele and Malei, in Zambézia province.
In view of the situation, the authorities are calling on society in general to observe precautionary measures, including avoiding crossing the riverbeds mentioned above, raising awareness among the population to adopt precautionary measures in the event of flooding, and following information issued by the competent authorities.
The total number of deaths in the current rainy season in Mozambique has risen to 215, with more than 856,000 people affected since October, according to an update issued today by the disaster management institute.
According to information from the database of the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), accessed by Lusa and updated at 09:18 today, a total of 856,845 people have been affected, corresponding to 198,053 families. There are also 12 missing persons and 314 injured.
January floods alone caused at least 27 deaths, and the passage of Cyclone Gezani in Inhambane, on 13 and 14 February, led to the deaths of a further four people, according to updated INGD data on the rainy season.
It is further reported that a total of 13,698 houses were partially destroyed during the current rainy season, in addition to 5,694 completely destroyed and a further 183,812 flooded.
A total of 246 health units, 74 places of worship and 635 schools have been affected in just over four and a half months.
INGD data also indicate that 554,603 hectares of agricultural land were affected during this period, 287,810 hectares of which were reported as lost, impacting 365,137 farmers. In addition, 530,998 animals died, including cattle, goats and poultry, and 6,542 kilometres of roads, 35 bridges and 123 aqueducts were affected.
Source: Lusa
