Deadly floods have struck once again in Angola, this time in Cuanza Sul Province, just days after tragedy struck in the city of Lubango where flash floods killed 24 people and left many more missing.
Cuanza Sul Province
ANGOP, the government news agency in Angola, report that at least 6 people have died in floods in Cuanza Sul Province between 05 and 07 March 2016.
The fatalities occurred in Quissala and Bumba neighbourhoods of Sumbe Municipality, in the central Cuanza Sul Province. Four of the victims, all children, died after a house collapsed. A further 16 houses have also been destroyed in the floods. ANGOP report that 168 houses, a hospital and 3 schools have also been damaged.
Death Toll Rises in Lubango, Huíla
More bodies have been recovered by emergency workers in Lubango, Huíla, bringing the death toll to 29. Heavy rain fell for around 9 hours on Monday 29 February 2016. Local media report that two rivers – the Capitao and the Caculuvar – overflowed on 01 March, leaving a train of devastation.
A few days after the tragedy, the Archbishop of Lubango, Gabriel Mbilingui called on the that the Angolan government to prevent people building homes in risk areas to avoid losses in human life. He added that the state must strengthen awareness and dialogue showing the people the dangers of this kind of behaviour.
Speaking to ANGOP, the Archbishop said: “The government must stop construction in risk zones….Even if sometimes people do not know the danger of certain conditions, the competent authorities must always act since it is why they are there.”
Lunda Sul Province
Local media in Angola have also reported that floods and heavy rain since the start of the year have destroyed 308 homes in the municipalities of Cacolo, Dala and Saurimo, leaving at least 1,544 people homeless in he eastern province of Lunda Sul.
A further 59 homes have been damaged. Flooding has also caused damage to transport, bridges and schools.
