Flooding hammers Mozambique, southern African neighbors

"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."

"The scale of the rainfall has overwhelmed both forecasts and infrastructure. In several districts, precipitation reached up to 250 millimeters within 24 hours, 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."

"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. Neighboring South Africa has deployed air force helicopters"

Severe torrential rains across southern Africa have caused widespread flooding, with southern Mozambique hardest hit. More than 645,000 people have been affected nationwide, at least 112 deaths recorded, over 91,000 people sheltering in temporary centers, and dozens injured. Intense precipitation—up to 250 millimeters in 24 hours—saturated rivers, breached embankments, and quickly destroyed roads and bridges, with nearly 800 kilometers of roads damaged or destroyed. Thousands of homes, classrooms, and health facilities were damaged or lost, disrupting education and healthcare. Governments and militaries are using rail, air, maritime transport, and international assistance to move people, supplies, and relief.

Read at www.dw.com