Mozambique is facing a critical situation in the Chibuto district of Gaza province, where around 22 people are isolated due to the rising flow of the Limpopo River, caused by the heavy rains ravaging the region.

According to local authorities, these people are in safe locations, but unable to travel for daily activities, such as accessing the city to obtain essential goods. This situation is worsened by the discharges from dams in neighboring countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe, which have contributed to the river's overflow.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the delegate of the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), Teixeira Almeida, assured that the families are safe and that the water level could decrease within approximately three days.

“We are talking about around 22 thousand people who are under siege.”

“These people are in safe places, but they cannot cross over to come into the city to carry out their activities.”

“They can’t move because the roads are blocked by the water and also because the water level [of the Limpopo River] has risen,” said Sérgio Moiane.

The rising Limpopo River, besides isolating thousands of people, also destroyed extensive farmland, threatening the region's food security. According to the most recent data, the number of hectares flooded stands at 58 and is expected to rise, directly impacting communities dependent on agriculture as their primary source of income.

“We are scared and have chosen to leave our homes because they are already flooding,” says one of the victims.

Fields of corn, tomatoes, and other agricultural products were completely "swallowed" by the floodwaters, leaving many families with no alternative. Lucas Marindze, a farmer in the lower Chinhacanine region, lamented the massive losses:

“When I see the flooded crops, my heart is anguished.”

“I lost about 10 hectares of corn, tomatoes, lettuce and cabbage.”

Mariana Matusse, another agricultural producer, explained that she invested in the hope of supplying the granary devastated by the drought last agricultural season and that everything pointed to a good harvest, but she also lost her entire harvest and now faces a harsh reality.

"I lost about 10 hectares. What will the next few days be like?"

“I don’t know, because we don’t have many alternatives.”

“The children are going hungry because we haven’t had meals for a week,” he shared.

In addition to agricultural losses, the floods also cut off access roads in several districts, including Guijá, Chicualacuala, Chókwe, Mapai, and Limpopo. In response, the INGD allocated vessels for rescue operations and the transportation of essential goods to affected communities.

INGD spokesperson Bonifácio Cardoso also stated that the damage assessment is underway to determine the necessary support measures for the population.

On January 13, severe tropical cyclone Dikeledi struck Mozambique, causing at least 11 deaths and affecting another 250 people, according to the latest official assessment from Mozambican authorities. Cyclone Chido, which struck Mozambique on December 14, 2024, also killed at least 120 people and affected another 450.

Mozambique is considered one of the countries most severely affected by climate change in the world, cyclically facing floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season.

In the case of recent floods, the Southern Water Regional Administration (ARA-Sul) warned that the hydrometric stations in Combomune, Sicacate and Chókwe continue to register alert levels, with a tendency to worsen.

In addition to the torrential rains falling on Mozambique, discharges from dams in South Africa and Zimbabwe contributed to the worsening of the situation. These releases were necessary to prevent disruptions to the water infrastructure in those countries, but they ended up intensifying the effects of the floods in Mozambique.

Meanwhile, INGD delegate Teixeira Almeida stated that the rapid drainage of water is a positive factor:

“The runoff is fast because the water tables are not yet saturated, only the next situation could be serious, that is what we fear.”

With this in mind, authorities remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any emergencies.

With 22 people isolated, vast agricultural areas devastated, and access roads cut off, the recovery of these communities will depend on coordinated and effective action by the authorities.

Supporting affected families, providing boats, and continuously monitoring the situation are essential steps to minimize the impact of flooding. However, it is urgent to invest in more resilient infrastructure and adopt mitigation strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change.