Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref:OCHA/GVA/2000/0011
Mozambique - Floods
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
26 January 2000

1. This report represents a summary of the information received from the Office of the UN Resident Co-ordinator in Maputo, Mozambique. OCHA is in close contact with the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator and will revert with further details.

2. The south of Mozambique has been hit by torrential rains which have led to the flooding of the Incomati, the Umbeluzi and the Limpopo rivers. The situation in the Umbeluzi basin is reportedly likely to worsen as the holding capacity of the Pequenos Libombos dam, some 40 km west of Maputo, has been exceeded. The local media reported that the flood on the Limpopo river is reaching Chokwe district, at the heart of Mozambique's largest irrigation scheme, while there is no information available yet on any damage to crops or housing in the area. The raising water cut roads and some suburbs in Maputo are also affected. The river valleys in the southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane, and in central Sofala and Tete are identified as being at risk.

3. The Government's institution, responsible for disaster management (INGC), is preparing a bulletin to inform international organizations about the situation. INGC is monitoring the situation and has moved people from the risky areas. WFP is organizing a surveillance trip with INGC to assess the situation on the affected areas.

4. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone number: + 41-22-917-1234
In case of emergency only: + 41 22 917 2010

Desk Officers: Mr. Klaus Wiersing/ Ms. Yasuko Sawada,
Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel: + 41 22 917 2770/1768

Contact person for the media: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct tel: +41-22-917-2653

Telex 41 42 42 ocha ch
Fax: + 41 22 917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org