More than 5,000 families stranded by floods in Marracuene

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More than 5,000 families stranded by floods in Marracuene

5:00 CAT | 01 Mar 2023

Image: O País

About 20,000 people, members of more than 5,000 families, are stranded in the district of Marracuene, Maputo province, as a result of floods.

Traditional vessels are the only means of connection between the Cumbene neighbourhood and the main town of Marracuene.

Sergio, a local resident, describes the situation. “It is deplorable; there are many people in Cumbene who cannot leave and depend on boats [for mobility],” he says.

Many people only left their homes to brave the waters when forced to do so. “For example,” said Marcelo Dias, who had left the main village for Cumbene, “I am going there on a service mission. It is difficult to get there – I’ve been waiting here for 30 minutes, but I don’t know when the boat will arrive.”

The rain continues to fall all over the country. In Marracuene, the administrative posts of Machubo and Marracuene-sede are already cut off, as also are Bobole, Ngalundi and Macaneta.

“More than 20,000 Mozambican citizens, corresponding to more than 5, 000 families, are facing difficulties. We started yesterday (Monday) to minimise the problems of these people, giving them food, and we will do this throughout this week and the next,” a source from the authorities said.

The waters flooding Marracuene are fed not only by the rain, but also by the overflowing Incomati river.

Source: O País