Mozambique: Heavy rain, flooding continue across the country

Event

According to the Mozambique National Institute for Meteorology (INAM) further heavy rain, along with associated flooding, are forecast across Mozambique from Friday, March 22, until at least Saturday, March 23. Moderate to heavy rain, along with winds gust and severe thunderstorms are expected in Zambezia, Sofala, Niassa, Nampula, Inhambane, and Gaza provinces. The Maputo province, including the capital Maputo, is also expected to be affected. Related disruptions (transportation, power outage) are possible in the abovementionned areas in the coming hours and days.

Context

Mozambique was particularly affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai which made landfall near Beira late on Thursday, March 14, and moved inland over central Mozambique and eastern Zimbabwe. More than 200 people died in Mozambique due to Idai, and 15,000 others remain stranded. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that approximately 90 percent of Beira (Sofala province) was damaged or destroyed. Significant damages were also reported across other areas in central and northern Mozambique.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate flooding and associated transportation disruptions, including road closures, limited access to healthcare services and other basic necessities, and remember that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.