- Authorities vow to forcibly evacuate people refusing to move from high-risk areas
By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Mozambican Council of Ministers on Friday, in Maputo, ordered the activation of a National Red Alert across the entire country in response to flooding caused by torrential rains that have been falling for more than a week.
With the activation of the red alert, the authorities will begin the compulsory evacuation of people living in high-risk areas, according to a statement issued after an emergency government meeting.
Official figures indicate that 231,730 people have been affected by the floods, corresponding to 46,179 households, with 103 deaths recorded. Of this total, eight deaths were caused by the storms and flooding since 21 December, while 95 resulted from earlier storms recorded since 1 October 2025.
The rains have also destroyed public and private infrastructure, including 10,852 houses damaged 4,615 houses completely destroyed, 27,865 houses flooded, 15 health facilities and 44 places of worship damaged.
In Zambézia and Nampula provinces, the floods have triggered a cholera outbreak that has already affected over 2,000 people and caused 28 deaths, representing an overall lethality rate of 1.5%.
The rains are expected to continue throughout the weekend. (MT)
