19 December 2007
Maputo — Life in the central Mozambican district of Buzi is now returning to normal, after a sharp fall in the level of the Buzi river, and an end to torrential rains.
Earlier in the month, much of the district had been flooded and the river was well above alert level. However, according to district administrator Sergio Moiane, cited in Wednesday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias", the main roads in the district are now passable, and trucks that had been buried in mud have been removed.
The level of the river has fallen by some three metres, and the flood waters have receded from Buzi town, and from the administrative posts of Bandua and Estaquinha. However, the ferry service across the river is still not operational.
"Life has returned to normal", said Moiane, "but the flooding caused erosion along the river banks, and so the crossing area needs to be repaired with improved ramps. Until that is done, the ferry will not operate".
People who had been displaced from their homes by the flood have now returned. Moiane said there had been no loss of life. No full assessment of the damage has yet been undertaken, but it is known that at least 188 hectares of maize, rice and other crops have been lost.
Meanwhile, the central regional water board has warned that two other major rivers, the Save and the Pungoe, are rising, though neither have yet burst their banks.
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