Maputo — The Mozambican authorities have restored supplies of electricity and piped water in the town of Chokwe, in the southern province of Gaza, as flood waters recede.

According to Rita Almeida, spokesperson for the country’s relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGC), the power and water supplies were partially restored on Sunday in most of the urban areas of Chokwe. Utilities in the whole town should be fully operational over the next few days.

Almeida, who was speaking during a Maputo press conference on Tuesday, said that the floods have displaced 138,597 people who are currently sheltered in 26 accommodation centres in the region.

Almeida added that a hundred members of the Armed Forces are helping with the clean-up operation in Chokwe.

She stated that since Monday a fleet of five helicopters have made 25 flights on a humanitarian aid mission to the northern part of Gaza to replenish food supplies that were running short. This area remains inaccessible either by road or rail.

Almeida said that the INGC still needs more tents, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, blankets, clothes, food, salt, soap, school materials and other essential goods to meet the basic needs of those displaced by the floods.

Malaria, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, conjunctivitis and minor injuries are listed as the most common health issues in the accommodation centres.

Gaza province has recorded a total of 41 deaths since the beginning of the year, most of which were caused by the recent floods.