Mozambique: Floods in Maputo city and province – Flash update No. 1 (as of 11 February 2023)

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Mozambique: Floods in Maputo city and province – Flash update No. 1 (as of 11 February 2023)

9:40 CAT | 11 Feb 2023

Affected house in Maputo. Credit: INGD

As of 11 February 2023

Highlights

Heavy rains hit the southern region of Mozambique over the past ten days, causing widespread flooding and structural damages, particularly in Maputo city and Maputo province.

At least 30,600 people (5,721 families) have reportedly been affected by flooding, including 422 people displaced and four deaths.

All river basins – Maputo, Goba, Magude, Megaruma, Mutarara, and Congerenge – that are being monitored are above the threshold levels; all dams are open.

National authorities, with humanitarian partners, are leading preliminary assessments of needs and damages, as well as initial multisectoral emergency response activities.

Serious concerns persist about the impact of the rain and further water release from dams on highly vulnerable people and the limited resources available to respond to the unfolding needs.

Situation overview

Between 7-10 February, heavy rains reaching up to 100 mm in 24 hours hit the southern region of the country, causing widespread flooding in Maputo city and Maputo province. According to the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), the rain already affected some 30,605 people (5,721 families), displaced 422 people, and killed four people. Five accommodation centers have been established that are currently hosting 422 people.

According to preliminary data from authorities, eight houses have been partially destroyed and 4,286 have been flooded, while five health units and 13 schools across the province have been reportedly damaged by the rain. Power cuts have been reported in all the areas affected – particularly around the basins of the rivers Maputo, Incomáti, and Umbelúzi – where the alert level has been reached. Movement across the region has also been curtailed. The Provincial Delegation of the National Roads Administration (DPANE) reported that the roads N2 (Matola/Boane), N3 (Impaputo/Goba), R408/CrzR407, CrzR407/CrzN3, N200, R406 (Salamanga/Catuane), R402 (Moamba/Sabie), and NC (Mazambanine/ETA) are currently impassable.

The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) warned that heavy rains and strong winds will continue to hit the southern provinces of the country, possibly for the next 14 days. Authorities estimate that an additional 53,000 people could be affected as a result of weather conditions combined with water releases in dams further upstream. Humanitarian partners are monitoring the situation and mobilising to support government-led efforts.

Since October 2022, the rainy/cyclonic season impacted a total of 78,173 people (14,133 families), causing 98 injuries and 88 deaths, across Mozambique. Some 3,297 houses have been partially destroyed, 1,777 totally destroyed, and 9,556 flooded. Widespread damages to public infrastructure and service have also been reported, including 328 schools, eight health units, 36 power poles, and 3,489 km of roads.

Humanitarian response

INGD has been leading and coordinating preliminary assessments of needs and damages, as well as the initial emergency response activities, with the support of humanitarian organizations. Government search and rescue operations have pulled 14,000 people to safety, including by using 13 boats. It has established five accommodation centres in the heavily-affected districts of Boane (2), Namaacha (2), and Matola City (1), in Maputo province to host the people displaced. INGD made available ten tons of rice and provided food and non-food items assistance to people in accommodation centres, in partnership with the Municipal Councils of Matola and Boane.

Authorities have also been working on increasing drainage capacity, pumping and cleaning of ditches, as well as conducting awareness-raising activities to increase the resilience of housing.

Humanitarian partners are working with INGD’s National Emergency Operations Centre to develop a response plan, identifying sectoral needs and gaps. Humanitarian partners are also reviewing their stock availability, to assist affected people based on Government’s current and projected needs.

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Source: UNOCHHA / UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs