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30,000 in danger: Limpopo may overflow – Noticias
4:15 CAT | 02 Feb 2021
Photo: Noticias
The Limpopo watercourse in Gaza province is experiencing a significant increase in flow volumes, affecting the Pafúri, Combomune, Chókwè, Guijá, Sicacatee and Xai-Xai districts, where the population is being urged to abandon low-lying and riverside areas for higher ground.
This is the second wave of flooding in the region resulting from the passage of Cyclone Eloise, and could affect inhabitants in Chókwè district, where the river has already exceeded the alert level, as well as those in Guijá, Chibuto, Xai-Xai and Limpopo.
The alert also advises the removal of agricultural equipment from the margins of the watercourse.
A statement from the Regional Administration of Águas do Sul (ARA-Sul) indicates that Limpopo levels in Chókwè may today or tomorrow reach 7.5 or 8 metres, where the alert level is five metres, with 8,024 cubic metres of water per second flowing from upstream.
Any Limpopo overflow could result in flooding in the Chókwè lowlands and in Caniçado, in Guijá. The Chókwè-Mabalane, Caniçado-Chinhacanine and Xai-Xai-Chilaulene roads are likely to be affected, as are connections in the provincial capital and between the city of Chibuto and its surrounding towns and villages.
The Massingire dam on the Rio dos Elefantes, a tributary of the Limpopo, is currently at about 40% capacity and is not discharging at this time. However, the Limpopo is receiving significant contributions upstream via its Nwanetsi and Chingwedzi tributaries.
Manuel Malhaieie, delegate of the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) in Gaza, says more than 30,000 people are exposed to the danger of flooding in the five districts mentioned (Pafúri, Combomune, Chókwè, Guijá, Sicacatee and Xai-Xai).
Government authorities in Chókwè are on high alert, having strengthened local disaster risk management committees in order to increase the awareness of communities of the need to leave areas at the greatest risk of flooding.
District administrator Eceu Muianga says that there is a vessel and men ready to rescue anybody stranded by this second wave of floods.
The National Directorate of Water Resources Management is also warning of flooding in the Maputo and Matola municipalities as a result of the rain which has fallen there since yesterday afternoon.
Source: Noticias
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