Floods kill 10 in Mozambique: UN

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Floods kill 10 in Mozambique: UN

10:05 CAT | 12 Mar 2019

Image: AFP

At least 10 people have been killed after heavy rains deluged two flood-prone provinces of Mozambique, the UN said Monday, as meteorologists issued a cyclone warning.

Six people died in the central Tete province in recent days while four were swept away in the coastal Zambezia province, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report.

More than 62,000 people have so far been affected by floods in the two provinces as well as in the northern Niassa province.

“At least 10 deaths reported, and 62,975 people were affected by the floods,” the UN said.

National authorities have warned that “at least 120,000 people are at risk of flooding and heavy rains in the coming days,” the UN said.

A tropical storm which brought heavy rains and strong winds is forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone in the coming days.

“The system is moving towards the coastal region of Sofala and Zambezia provinces which may reach tropical cyclone stage influencing the weather conditions from March 13, 2019,” it warned.

Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, is often battered by deadly flooding and storms.

In 2000, floods claimed at least 800 lives, and more than 100 were killed in 2015.

Floods have already claimed 30 lives and left over 230,000 people without shelter in southern Malawi which borders Mozambique.

Death toll in Malawi floods rises to 30

Floods in southern Malawi have killed 30 people and left over 230,000 people without shelter, a minister said on Sunday.

Homeland Security Minister Nicholas Dausi, whose ministry is also responsible for disaster management affairs, on Sunday visited people affected by the deluges in two of the 14 southern districts affected.

He said his ministry had received reports of 30 deaths and about 238,000 villagers losing their homes since the start of the incessant downpours earlier this week.

“Their immediate needs are food, tents, blankets and chlorine to treat drinking water and anti-malaria medication,” he said.

Mozambique: Flooding, Office of the Resident Coordinator – Flash update No. 3 (as of 10 March 2019, 11:00 PM)
REPORT from UN Resident Coordinator for Mozambique Published on 10 Mar 2019

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Highlights

• At least 10 deaths reported, and 62,975 people were affected by the floods in Zambézia, Tete and Niassa provinces;

• At least 10,512 people are displaced in Zambezia, Tete and Niassa sheltered in 15 transit centres;

• At least 83,318 ha of crop area are flooded affecting 54,853 smallholder farmers;

• The Tropical depression in Mozambique channel evolved to Tropical storm called IDAI and will reach tropical cyclone stage in the coming days;

• National water resources authorities alert that at least 120,000 people are at risk of flooding and heavy rains in the coming days;

Situation Overview

The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) issued on 10 March 2019 an alert regarding the system formed in the Mozambique channel which evolved from Tropical Depression to Moderate Tropical Storm called IDAI. This system is causing heavy rains (> 100mm in 24h) together with thunderstorms and strong winds. The system is moving towards the coastal region of Sofala and Zambézia provinces which may reach tropical cyclone stage influencing the weather conditions from 13 March 2019. The identified risk areas are the provinces of Zambézia, Sofala, Manica and Tete. The northern region of the country especially Niassa and Cabo Delgado province are also recording heavy rains.

Given the weather forecast indicated by INAM, the national water resources authorities informed that in the next 72h might occur moderate to high urban flooding in the cities of Beira, Quelimane and Dondo where an estimated 20,000 people are at risk. Although there was a reduction in the rainfall in the last 24h, there is prevalence of flooded areas in the districts of Namacurra and Maganja da Costa in Zambézia province.

Furthermore, and as mentioned in the previous update, the Licungo, Zambeze, Pungoe and Buzi river basins might record a rise in the water levels and overcome the alert levels resulting in moderate to high flooding in the flooding plain of those rivers which may affect more than 100,000 people.

The Government authorities are leading the response and together with the partners providing humanitarian assistance to the affected population. On 11 March 2019, there will be a high-level meeting which will be chaired by the Prime-Minister to assess the situation and recommend further measures to be taken in a view of likely cyclone landfall in Sofala and Zambézia provinces.

Source: AFP / reliefweb.int