Consular Section

Daily Flood Update

8 January 2008

Discharges from the Cahora Bassa Dam (HCB) have increased from  6:00 p.m. Monday.  The increase from the HCB dam plus the inflows from the Zambeze tributaries downstream from the HCB are contributing to the gradual increase of waterlevels in the lower Zambeze.  During the last 24 hours, the water levels have been rising in Tete, Mutarra and Caia.  For the next 24 hours, water levels are expected to continue rising along the whole Zambeze basin.  The situation may worsen in the lower Zambeze, especially in the districts of Mutarara, Caia, Marromeu and Mopeia where the water levels are above the Alert Level.  So far, the magnitude of the flood is still less than the 2001 and 2007 floods but there is the potential for the current flood to become the worst of the three years.

The water in the Búzi and Save Rivers has been decreasing significantly and are now below the Alert Level.

In Púngue, due to the latest rains in Zimbabwe and Manica province, the water levels have risen slightly.

There are now indications of rising water levels in the northern basins such as Messalo and Montepuez but they are still below the Alert Level.

Forecasts indicate moderate rains with localized heavy rains for the next 4 days (9-12 January, 2008) in most parts of the country.  Rains will also continue in most neighboring countries including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland.

Under the current Red Alert, GOM authorities are continuing with compulsory evacuation of those who have refused to withdraw voluntarily.

The latest information from CENOE (National Center of Emergency Operations) indicates that through January 7 a total of 6,929 households (approximately 34,595 people) have evacuated to resettlement centers.  The effort from INGC (National Institute of Disaster Management) is to make sure all people at risk are secure to avoid deaths given the potential of very severe flooding in the next days.  CENOE also indicates that a total of 31,481 hectares of crops have been lost.  Officially, INGC does not attribute any deaths as related directly to the current floods in the countries.  A death occurred on January 5 in the Púngue basin and investigation is underway by health authorities to decide whether it was directly related to the current flooding.

A flyover of the Zambeze basin by disaster management authorities took place yesterday between Mutarara and Mopeia districts to look for people requiring rescue assistance.