At least 68 people, including 23 children and 25 women, have remained stranded since Sunday between the localities of Mafassitela and Hariane, in the district of Mapai, Gaza province, due to the heavy rains affecting southern Mozambique.
According to Lusa, the group was travelling from Mapai to the district of Massangena when they were caught by rising waters along the Mapai–Massangena road, ending up surrounded by floods that made any overland movement impossible.
“We have 68 people stranded. They are in an area with no road access and we have no way of delivering assistance without aerial support. Fortunately, they were travelling with a local trader who was transporting goods, and we asked him to provide some food, with the commitment that he will be reimbursed later,” explained the district administrator of Mapai, Maria Langa.
Conditions at the site are precarious. In addition to food shortages, the families are also facing a lack of safe drinking water. Local authorities, in coordination with the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), the National Public Rescue Service (SENAP) and members of the Armed Forces, have been making efforts to rescue the victims. However, evacuation by boat proved unfeasible.
“They are about 16 kilometres from the safe area. We initially considered using boats, but that was not possible. At this stage, we are working with the central government to secure aerial transport to carry out the rescue, which we consider urgent given the time that has already passed,” the administrator stressed.
On Wednesday, the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the provinces of Gaza and Maputo, warning of a high risk of flooding, flash floods and lightning. On the same day, the National Directorate of Water Resources Management estimated that around 400,000 people may need to be evacuated from their homes in Gaza province due to the intensification of the rains.
Since the start of the rainy season in October, the INGD has recorded at least 94 deaths related to rainfall across the country. The situation has worsened significantly since late December, with several provinces reporting major human and material losses.
President Daniel Chapo has expressed solidarity with the affected populations, acknowledging this week the significant damage caused by the rains and calling for national mobilisation to mitigate the effects of the crisis.
