A national emergency has forced Mozambique’s leadership to abandon global diplomatic engagements.
President Daniel Chapo abruptly canceled his planned attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Instead, the head of state remains in Maputo to command the response to a catastrophic Mozambique flood crisis that has upended half a million lives.
Since mid-December, relentless torrential rains have battered the nation. Consequently, the government has declared a countrywide “Red Alert,” signaling the highest level of danger.
Gaza Province at the Epicenter of the Mozambique Flood Crisis
While the provinces of Maputo and Sofala face severe inundation, Gaza province has suffered near-total devastation. Governor Margarida Mapandzene Chongo confirmed that floodwaters currently submerge approximately 40% of the region’s land mass.
The scale of displacement in this single province is staggering:
- Mass Exodus: Disasters forced at least 327,000 residents to flee their homes.
- Shelters Overwhelmed: Schools and churches now house over 50,000 displaced citizens in temporary camps.
- Urban Threat: Authorities ordered immediate evacuations for Xai-Xai, the provincial capital, as the Limpopo River turns streets into rapids.
- Submerged Towns: In Chokwe, waters rose to roof levels, erasing entire neighborhoods from view.
Infrastructure Collapse Isolates Regions
The deluge has severed critical lifelines, complicating rescue efforts. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq revealed that the primary highway linking the capital, Maputo, to northern and central regions is impassable.
Data illustrates the extent of the infrastructural ruin:
- Roads Destroyed: Waters damaged nearly 5,000 kilometers of roadway across nine provinces.
- Complete Washouts: Forceful currents completely obliterated 152 kilometers of pavement.
- Economic Blow: The agricultural sector lost over 27,000 livestock, while damage to health facilities hinders medical care.
A Regional Catastrophe
This disaster extends beyond national borders. Heavy rains have triggered a collective death toll surpassing 100 across Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, the situation remains fluid and dangerous. Governor Chongo warned that river levels will likely rise further as runoff from heavy rains in neighboring Zimbabwe and South Africa flows downstream into Mozambique’s river systems.
Daring Rescues Amid the Chaos
Emergency teams are executing high-risk operations to save lives. On Sunday, helicopter crews plucked 110 survivors from treetops and high ground. These dramatic rescues included children, the elderly, and a woman in labor.
Recovery costs will likely soar into the hundreds of millions. Neighboring South Africa already estimates damages in a single province at $250 million, foreshadowing a massive economic burden for the entire region.
