Zambezi River continues to rise above flood warning level

The Mozambican authorities and emergency partners are on high alert as the water level in the Zambezi River continues to rise well above flood warning levels. Mozambique's largest river cuts through the northern province of Tete, and central provinces of Zambezia and Sofala. On Monday morning the level of the Zambezi River in Caia, in the central province of Sofala, rose to 6.36 metres, according the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC). The flood alert level is 5 metres. "This is a cause of concern as the levels continue to rise and more rain is forecasted," said Francisco Orlando, the provincial director of INGC in the central province of Zambezia, home to over three million people. Orlando told IRIN the main concern was that should widespread flooding occur, there would be a need for urgent assistance to evacuate people. Although nationally the government and its partners are on standby, in Zambezia they only have three boats - which take between 10 to 15 people at a time. Basic supplies including tents and food, would also be required. Orlando said they are especially concerned for communities in Mopeia and Chinde districts in Zambezia. In Luabo, the administrative centre of Chinde, some 54,000 people live precariously close to the river Licungu and are unwilling to leave their farms. Since the beginning of the year, 31 people have lost their lives due to the heavy rains, according to official figures. "The impact of this year's rainy season could have been much worse if it had not been for the government's programme to evacuate populations living in low-lying valleys in flood-prone areas," said Rita Almeida, head of the INGC's planning department. Most communities at risk that live along the Zambezi and the Pungue rivers have agreed to move to higher ground, even if they return to farm in the fertile flood plains. The INGC has improved its contingency planning since disastrous floods in 2000 killed 700 people and displaced hundreds of thousands in the south of the country.