Floods and inundations in Mozambique affected at least 64 hotel establishments in Gaza province in the south of the country, with estimated damages of 2,309 million meticais (€31.1 million), the government announced today.
Responding to questions from MPs in parliament, minister of state administration and public service Inocêncio Impissa said the floods damaged economic infrastructure, identifying 64 affected hotel establishments. “All located in Gaza province, specifically in Xai-Xai city and in the districts of Chókwè and Guijá. These damages represent around 2,309 million meticais,” he said.
The data presented by the minister also show that the districts of Sussundenga in Manica province, central Mozambique, and Chókwè and Xai-Xai city in Gaza had a combined total of 1,300 commercial establishments affected, representing damages of around 345 million meticais (€4.6 million).
According to Impissa, the floods also damaged industrial infrastructure in the Búzi district of Sofala province, in Xai-Xai city and in the districts of Chókwè and Guijá in Gaza, totalling 130 industrial facilities and representing losses of around 57 million meticais (€769,829).
“Around 50 kilometres of water distribution networks were also affected in the provinces of Manica, Sofala, Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo, along with the total and partial damage of water pumps, silting of water intake sources and increased turbidity of raw water, affecting around 900,000 people,” the minister said.
At least 270 people have died in the current rainy season in Mozambique since October, affecting more than 870,000 people — 725,000 of them in January’s floods alone, in which around 40 people died, mainly in the south.
Addressing MPs, the minister stressed that climate change is a reality and is becoming increasingly intense and severe, requiring adequate solutions to face phenomena now occurring in areas previously considered safe. “An effective response to climate risks requires not only emergency actions but, above all, medium- and long-term policies that promote resilience, sustainable development and the reduction of community vulnerability,” he said.
Read more about this topic: Floods: Mozambique extends heavy rain warning from the south to the center of the country
He also noted that 351 personnel — national and foreign, including volunteer lifeguards — have been deployed in the field since the start of the rainy season, with 68 vessels, four aircraft, ten helicopters, 14 drones and 25 satellite antennas mobilised for data monitoring and rescue operations.
Data from the national disaster management institute (INGD) show that 399,749 hectares of agricultural land were lost and 530,998 animals died, including cattle, goats and poultry. To combat animal diseases, 169,100 vaccine doses for tuberculosis and lumpy skin disease in cattle and 155,000 doses for rabies control have already been distributed.
The rains affected at least 302 health units, with the government indicating it needs almost 500 million meticais (€6.7 million) to repair at least 180 damaged health facilities.
To address the recurring flood impacts in Gaza, the government is mobilising $1.2 billion for the construction and operation of the Mapai Dam, with a storage capacity of 7.2 billion cubic metres, through a public-private partnership. “The dam could contribute massively to controlling the flow of the Limpopo river, reducing flood impact, ensuring the expansion of irrigated agriculture, promoting water security for communities and local and regional development,” Impissa said.
