Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe report hundreds of deaths due to flooding

(MENAFN) Heavy rains and flooding have claimed at least 200 lives across Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe this month, with Mozambique bearing the brunt of the disaster.

In Mozambique, the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction reported 103 deaths and over 200,000 people affected nationwide. The floods have submerged roughly 173,000 acres of farmland, intensifying food security concerns.

South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre reported at least 30 fatalities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, with thousands of homes damaged or destroyed. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa urged residents to remain vigilant, noting that “conditions require vigilance and responsible action from everyone.” Rising waters forced the partial closure of Kruger National Park, prompting the evacuation of more than 600 tourists and staff, with military helicopters deployed to assist stranded individuals.

In Zimbabwe, at least 70 deaths have been reported since early January, alongside 51 injuries. Flooding has destroyed over 1,000 homes and damaged critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and schools, according to the Department of Civil Protection.

The disaster coincides with southern Africa’s peak rainy season, which typically spans November through March, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between January and March. Authorities have emphasized the need for preparedness as extreme weather events continue to threaten lives and livelihoods in the region.

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