Maputo, 11 Feb (AIM) – Mozambique’s relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD), by Saturday morning had rescued about 15,000 people from raging flood waters in Boane district, in Maputo province.
Heavy rains have been falling in southern Mozambique, and in the neighbouring countries of South Africa and Eswatini since Monday. The main rivers in Maputo province have burst their banks, notably the Umbeluzi, which flows through the middle of Boane.
Most of the roads in Boane are submerged. The mayor of Boane, Jacinto Loureiro, told reporters that the last ten kilometres of the main road from Maputo city to Boane are completely impassable. The waters have covered most of Boane town, and the district looks like a lake.
Many Boane residents are still stranded on rooftops or clinging to trees. They are being taken to safety on boats, most of which are privately owned. According to INGD chairperson Luisa Meque, the INGD does not have any helicopters or other aircraft.
The rains forced the Southern Regional Water Board (ARA-Sul) to order dramatic increases in the discharges from the Pequenos Libombos dam, on the Umbeluzi. By Friday evening the discharges were running at 2,500 cubic metres a second.
The reservoir behind the dam is almost completely full, and if the waters of the Umbeluzi should spill over the top of the dam, its physical integrity could be compromised.
The flood is also threatening the water supply for Maputo and Matola, since it could damage equipment at the treatment and pumping station on the Umbeluzi.
The Incomati river is also likely to go into flood. According to Meque, around 40,000 people are at risk from a major flood on the Incomati, in the districts of Magude, Moamba and Manhica.
No relief is in sight. According to the National Meteorology Institute (INAM), the rains in Maputo province will continue until Tuesday next week.
Agostinho Vilanculos, head of the Department of Water Resources in the Ministry of Public Works, told reporters that the scenario “is not very good” throughout southern Mozambique, but is most critical in Maputo province.
February, he said, is bringing higher than normal rainfall, with an accumulated precipitation so far of about 300 millimetres, both in southern Mozambique and in the neighbouring countries.
Floods are likely in other parts of the southern provinces, he said, and he advised people to move away immediately from low lying areas and seek higher ground.
(AIM)
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