3 January 2008
Maputo — At least 1,000 people had been rescued by midday Wednesday from the flooded towns of Machanga and Nova Mambone, in southern Mozambique, reports Thursday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias".
The two small towns face each other across the Save river, which has burst its banks due to torrential rains in Zimbabwe. By Wednesday morning the Save at Nova Mambone was measured at 7.65 metres - flood alert level here is 5.55 metres.
Many residents of the two towns ignored warnings to seek higher ground. When the flood struck, they scrambled to their rooftops, or climbed trees. Seven government-owned motor boats and a number of private canoes were used to rescue these people, and take them to safety. The boats were supported by a helicopter used to spot people clinging to trees.
The roads that lead from the country's main north-south highway to Machanga and Nova Mambone are under water, and all public institutions in the two towns are closed. Some of the livestock owned by local farmers has been swept away by the swollen river.
800 of those rescued are from Nova Mambone. They were evacuated to an accommodation centre where the authorities have set up 45 large tents to cater for the displaced.
Meanwhile, in the central province of Sofala the Pungue river is continuing to rise, and is now encroaching on the main road from Beira to Zimbabwe. The provincial governor, Alberto Vaquina, announced on Wednesday that the authorities are considering closing the affected stretch of road (between Mutua and Tica) to traffic, until the waters subside.
Vaquina visited the lower Pungue valley where he was informed that at least two people have drowned in the flood, and a third is missing. Over 600 hectares of crops have been swamped.
"The situation is dramatic", said Vaquina. "The provincial government will have to meet within a matter of days to redefine its strategy in order to guarantee the speedy rescue of people at risk. The scenario is becoming ever more critical, and we shall have to ban traffic along this part of the road".
The only alternative to the road is the Beira-Zimbabwe railway. Vaquina said the government is in contact with the Beira Railroad Company (CCFB) to ensure that trains can carry light vehicles across the flooded area (as has happened during previous Pungue floods).
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