The total number of deaths during the current rainy season in Mozambique has risen to 257, with nearly 869,000 people affected since October, according to the latest update from the national disaster management authority.
According to data from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), updated on Sunday night, there were 15 more deaths compared to the balance reported on Thursday.
A total of 868,948 people have been affected during the current rainy season, corresponding to 200,824 families. The figures also include 12 missing persons and 331 injured.
Flooding in January alone caused at least 27 deaths and affected 724,131 people. Meanwhile, Cyclone Gezani, which hit the southern province of Inhambane on 13 and 14 February, caused four deaths and affected 9,040 people, according to updated INGD data.
During this rainy season, 15,329 houses were partially destroyed, 6,168 were completely destroyed and 183,824 were flooded. In total, 302 health facilities, 83 places of worship and 716 schools were affected over the five-month period.
INGD data also show that 555,040 hectares of agricultural land were affected, of which 288,016 hectares were reported as lost, impacting 365,784 farmers. In addition, 530,998 animals — including cattle, goats and poultry — died, while 7,845 kilometres of roads, 36 bridges and 123 aqueducts were affected.
Since October, Mozambique’s disaster management authority has activated 149 accommodation centres, which have housed 113,478 people. Of these, 27 centres remain active, sheltering at least 20,297 people.
