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Flooding displaces over 300,000 people in Mozambique's Gaza province

Jan 19, 2026, 2:24 PM20
(Update: Jan 19, 2026, 8:14 PM)
country in Southeastern Africa
municipality in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland
Mozambican politician

Flooding displaces over 300,000 people in Mozambique's Gaza province

  • Gaza province of Mozambique has been severely affected by weeks of torrential rain, leading to significant displacement of residents.
  • Approximately 327,000 people are presently being housed in temporary shelters due to the flooding.
  • The situation has prompted the government to issue a nationwide red alert, highlighting the need for urgent rescue and recovery efforts.
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Mozambique has recently faced devastating floods that have severely impacted the Gaza province, resulting in the displacement of over 300,000 individuals. The flooding is attributed to weeks of torrential rain that have submerged approximately 40% of the province, leading to critical humanitarian conditions. Authorities have reported that many of the displaced people have sought refuge in temporary accommodations such as schools and churches, dramatically straining local resources and infrastructure. The governor of Gaza, Margarida Mapandzene Chongo, announced that around 327,000 residents are currently accommodated in such shelters, indicating the scale of the crisis as the population of Gaza is about 1.4 million. The situation has escalated to alarming levels, with the government urging evacuations from lower-lying areas, particularly in the provincial capital of Xai-Xai. Reports describe streets in Xai-Xai flooding extensively, and videos depict the grim reality, with water levels rising alarmingly, posing a significant risk to residents. Additional calls for evacuations came as authorities warned that more flooding was expected, especially as water from southern Zimbabwe would begin to affect the province. This is compounded by the ongoing rainy season, which typically precedes a cyclone season, raising fears of more severe conditions leading to catastrophic flooding. Mozambique's government has declared a nationwide red alert due to the crisis, indicating the gravity of the situation. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction described the flooding conditions as critical in several provinces, with major efforts underway to rescue trapped individuals. The government's measures included deploying helicopters to rescue those stranded in trees or elevated locations, showcasing the urgency of the rescue operations. With damages to infrastructure reported extensively, including over 150 kilometers of roads washed away, authorities estimate that recovery could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. South Africa has reciprocated Mozambique's suffering by experiencing severe weather conditions, with reports indicating over 30 deaths due to flooding and damage across two provinces since late last year. The regional implications of these weather patterns are critical, as the cross-border rivers feeding into Mozambique have seen their banks overflow, exacerbating the flood conditions. As the situation develops, officials remain on high alert for further adverse weather events, and the humanitarian response mobilizes to address the urgent needs of those affected across the region.

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