Maputo, Mozambique — A cholera outbreak has killed about 100 people in northern and central Mozambique since the rainy season started, but authorities say the situation is under control.

The affected provinces are Niassa, Nampula, and Zambezia in the north and Sofala in the central area.

Director of health in Zambezia province, Dr Bento Patia, said 20 people had died in the province's Mocuba district alone.

Other hotspots in Zambezia are Mopeia, Milange, Lugela, Inhassunge, Morrumbala and the city of Quelimane.

The shortage of clean drinking water is blamed for the easy spread of the water-born disease, which causes severe dehydration and death if left untreated.

The national capital of Maputo city hopes to avert a cholera outbreak by stepping up its rubbish collection system.

City councillor Yok Chan said the city needed 50 vehicles to remove the rubbish but had only two tractors.

He hopes that a donation of 30 vehicles will alleviate the problem.

Maputo city was built to accommodate only 400 000 people, but currently has a population of two million people.

The population pressure has had dire consequences on sanitation and water supply systems.