Southern Africa: Heavy Rains and Floods Flash Update No. 1

HIGHLIGHTS

• Heavy rains and flash floods have affected more than 655,000 people and claimed at least 159 lives across Southern Africa, with Mozambique the worst affected. The flooding is linked to a slow-moving low-pressure system and saturated catchments across the region.
• With rainfall continuing and river basins already saturated, flood risks remain high across the Southern Africa region, and further impacts are likely in the coming weeks.
• Humanitarian partners are supporting governments’ responses, including search and rescue operations, mobilizing vital aid, and coordinating efforts.
• Access constraints, damaged infrastructure, power disruption, limited stocks and competing humanitarian priorities are affecting response efforts, while protection risks are increasing amid displacement, overcrowding in temporary shelters and data gaps.