Heavy rainfall in northern Mozambique continues to cause havoc in the province Cabo Delgado. At least 6 people have now died in flood-related incidents in the province since late December, with a further 3 people missing. Heavy rain was also reported in Tete Province. In central coastal areas of the country, the overflowing Licungo river has caused flooding in the province of Zambezia.
Cabo Delgado Province
Local media reported on 15 January that 1 person died and three are still missing after a vehicle carrying 8 people was swept off a bridge over the Messalo river in Montepuez district. Four of the passengers were rescued. Media said the bridge had been closed due to dangerous conditions but the driver had ignored warnings. The search for the missing is ongoing.
Flooding also damaged power lines and pylons, leaving residents in the districts of Mueda, Muidumbe, Nangade, Mocímboa da Praia and Palma without power. Repairs are likely to be completed early next week.
Flooding hit the province in late December 2019. As of 31 December 2019, at least five people had died, 51 injured, 1,700 houses damaged and around 8,600 people affected.
Zambezia Province
Elsewhere in Mozambique, flooding from the Licungo River has caused displacements in Zambezia province of Mozambique, located in the central coastal region. Mozambique’s disaster agency, Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Calamidades (INGC) reported on 04 January that flooding displaced around 100 families in Maganja da Costa District and 200 families in Mocuba District.
Heavy rain was reported recently in Zambezia Province. In a 24 hour period to 16 January 2020, over 93mm of rain fell in Quelimane.
Tete Province and Malawi
Available records show over 90 mm of rain fell on 13 January in Ulongue in Tete Province, in the north of the country. No flooding has as yet been reported in the province. However, just over the border in Malawi, flooding affected areas around Zomba in Southern Region from around 14 January.
Social Media
Swelling waters at Jali Trading Centre in Zomba, Southern Malawi after heavy rains fell in the surrounding catchment area. The need for climate resilience is paramount as it can be seen from the pictures. #ClimateActionNow @Agenda2063N #TheAfricaWeWant pic.twitter.com/1J820SGvjx
— Charles Mkoka (@chamkoka) January 15, 2020
