The government estimates that $3.5 billion is needed to repair the national road network damaged by the heavy rains that have been battering the country since October. The information was released on Tuesday (3) in Maputo by the Minister of Transport and Communications, João Matlombe, during the Mozambican Heroes’ Day ceremonies.
According to the minister, the extent of the damage has worsened considerably in recent weeks, bringing the total number of roads affected throughout the country to more than 5,200 kilometers. “We are looking for this amount in the market. We do not have it available and we need support to repair the National Road, including other roads in different regions of the country,” said Matlombe.
National Road Number 1 (N1), the country’s main highway, has suffered significant disruptions in several sections, particularly in the district of Chibuto, in Gaza province, where flooding has forced traffic to be cut off. The minister assured that emergency works are underway to restore the connection between provinces by land, with restoration expected by Wednesday.
“We are working 24 hours a day on the N1. We have already managed to open an alternative route in Chibuto, which is operational. We are continuing with specific interventions to reduce water pressure and ensure that traffic is restored by tomorrow,” he explained.
In the aviation sector, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) will resume regular flights to Xai-Xai, capital of Gaza province, and to Vilanculos, in Inhambane, after a temporary increase in connections due to restrictions on land transport.
“At this point, there is no longer any justification for maintaining the additional number of flights. We will return to normal operations with a regular flight, but it is essential to continue to ensure the connection,” added the minister, noting that the company’s restructuring plan includes the acquisition of new aircraft.
According to data from the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), since the beginning of the rainy season in October, there have been 153 deaths, 254 injuries, and more than 844,000 people affected.
Given the seriousness of the situation, the government declared a national red alert on January 16. Currently, 77 accommodation centers are active, housing 76,251 displaced people. Since January 7, 229 health facilities, 316 schools, and five bridges have also been damaged. In the agricultural sector, the floods affected 440,842 hectares of crops, of which 275,405 were reported as lost, affecting 314,780 farmers. An estimated 408,115 head of livestock, including cattle, goats, and poultry, were also killed.
The international humanitarian response has already begun to arrive, with contributions from the European Union, the United States of America, Portugal, Angola, Spain, Timor-Leste, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, and several neighboring countries.
