Richard Davies Floodlist Fri, 10 Feb 2023 18:27 UTC
Storms and heavy rain affected the city of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and surrounding areas of Maputo Province on 08 February 2023.
Local media reported that heavy rain caused flooding in the city of Maputo, the suburb of Matola, and the nearby Boane District in Maputo Province. Roads have been cut and houses damaged. A collision between a train and road vehicle in Matola municipality was blamed on poor visibility and severe weather. Heavy rain caused several houses to partially collapse in the Ferroviário neighbourhood of Maputo city.
Quoting sources from the country's National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), local media reported 2,400 families have been affected. Many are in a critical situation, INGD said.
One person died in a flooded house in the FPLM neighbourhood of Maputo city. It is thought the victim was electrocuted after power cables came into contact with flood water.
More flooding is expected in Maputo Province as water from flooded rivers in South Africa and Eswatini makes its way downstream. Local media said around 24,000 people are expected to evacuate from the lower areas of the Incomati and Umbelúzi rivers in Maputo province.
On 09 February, Aguas do Sul, the government agency responsible for operating dams in the country, said it started to increase discharges at the Pequenos Libombos dam, situated near Muguene.
The agency said heavy rainfall in South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique had increased flows of the Maputo, Umbelizi and Incomati rivers. Aguas do Sul said some areas of South Africa recorded 300 mm of rain in 24 hours to 09 February, while Goba in Maputo Province recorded 98.5mm of rain and Calichane, also in Maputo Province, saw 165.6mm.
Mozambique - 6 Dead as Floods Worsen in Maputo Province
The flood situation has worsened in the city of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and the surrounding province of Maputo, according to an updated report from the National Institute for Management and Reduction of Disaster Risk (INGD) of Mozambique.
As of 12 February, INGD reported 6 people have now lost their lives as a result of flooding and heavy rain in the region since 08 February. Two people have been seriously injured and 3 people reported missing.
According to figures from the World Meteorological Organization, over 400 mm of rain was recorded at the weather station in Mavalane in Maputo, in a 24-hour period to 08 February 2023. Since then heavy flows from flooded rivers upstream in South Africa and Eswatini have made their way into the Maputo, Incomati and Umbelúzi river systems in areas of Maputo province. Authorities began releases from the Pequenos Libombos dam after it reached capacity.
INGD reported a total of 36,700 people have now been affected by flooding, including over 16,000 in Maputo City and over 14,000 in Maputo Province.
Around 7,300 homes, 15 schools and 15 health centres have been damaged. INGD opened 10 emergency accommodation centres in Maputo, Boane, Namaacha and Matola. As of 12 February the centres were housing around 13,700 people.
INGD said it is providing assistance to the victims, guaranteeing food and non-food goods, in addition to providing health services.
The Provincial Delegation of the National Roads Administration (DPANE) reported that several important roads were impassable in areas near Matola, Boane, Goba, Catuane and Moamba.
Comment: Update February 13
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