Flooding hammers Mozambique, SADC countries

"Flooding across southern Africa has severed critical transport routes, displaced hundreds of thousands of people and left governments and aid agencies struggling to respond. Southern Mozambique has suffered the heaviest toll so far. Authorities say more than 645,000 people have been affected nationwide, with at least 112 deaths recorded so far. Over 91,000 people are sheltering in 68 temporary accommodation centers, while 99 others have been injured. Thousands of homes, classrooms and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed,"

"The scale of the rainfall has overwhelmed forecasts and infrastructure alike. In several districts, precipitation reached up to 250 millimeters within a 24-hour period, saturating river systems and breaching embankments. Roads and bridges failed rapidly, particularly in low-lying areas that have long been vulnerable to seasonal flooding. Movement across the country has been severely restricted. Large sections of the main road leading out of Maputo were cut, while early assessments indicate that nearly 800 kilometers of roads nationwide have been damaged or destroyed."

"Members of Mozambique's military, alongside public servants, help flood victims after weeks of heavy rainfall in Boane near MaputoImage: Amilton Neves/REUTERS Minister of Transport Joao Matlombe said rail services were being used to move people and supplies, explaining that inspections showed railways were operational up to Magude town, around 150 kilometers north of Maputo. He said the government was deploying "air transport, maritime transport, and the railway" to ensure provinces did not run out of essential goods."

Severe flooding across southern Africa, concentrated in southern Mozambique, has affected over 645,000 people and caused at least 112 deaths. More than 91,000 people are sheltering in 68 temporary centers and 99 others have been injured. Thousands of homes, classrooms and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, hampering education and healthcare. Intense rainfall—up to 250 millimeters in 24 hours—saturated rivers, breached embankments, and caused rapid failure of roads and bridges. Early assessments show nearly 800 kilometers of roads damaged or destroyed and major routes out of Maputo cut. Authorities are using rail, air, maritime transport and military assistance to deliver supplies.

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