The road link between Chissano and Chibuto, in Gaza province, was reopened late Thursday afternoon (5) after a forced interruption caused by the partial collapse of the roadbed. The emergency intervention was conducted by the National Roads Administration (ANE), which mobilized technical teams to contain the damage and ensure passability, albeit limited, on that vital section for traffic between the south and the rest of the country.
According to the newspaper O País, the ANE delegate in Gaza, Jeremias Mazoio, said, “the N220 road collapsed following undermining caused by water infiltration during the recent floods.” According to the delegate, the increased pressure resulting from the impassability of the N1 in the lower part of the city of Xai-Xai forced an increase in traffic, with heavy goods vehicles using Chissano-Chibuto as an alternative.
“Apparently, the pavement was in good condition, but a void was discovered under the base, which posed a risk of imminent collapse. It was therefore necessary to stop traffic to carry out a rapid intervention and avoid a disaster,” explained the official.
The work consisted of demolishing the affected area, filling in the void, and replacing the base and pavement, allowing traffic to resume early in the evening. However, ANE warns that traffic conditions remain limited and recommends that all drivers strictly observe the signs posted along the road.
Mazoio also stressed that other points on the N220 may reveal similar faults, which is why the road will remain under close surveillance in the coming days. “This situation is a clear example of the concerns we have been raising about the opening of sections that are submerged or subject to invisible erosion,” he stressed.
Regarding the N1, in the lower area of Xai-Xai, the delegate reported that repair work is continuing, with no definite date set for the reopening of the road at this time.
Meanwhile, the issue of excess weight on national roads has been raised again, with reports of trucks weighing more than ten tons in circulation, despite the recommendations in force. Even so, ANE reiterated that the collapse recorded in Chissano-Chibuto was not caused directly by vehicle overload, but rather by the continuous action of water on the road structure.
