SANDF aids thousands left homeless by floods
"We estimate that more than 1 000 millimetres of rain had fallen in a very short time, which spiked the water level of the Licungo River. The mouth connecting the river to the ocean is too small, so most of the water is welled up in the areas around the river. The ground around it is saturated so the water cannot drain at all."
MBOMBELA – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to aid Mozambicans after heavy floods ravaged large areas in the northern part of the country.
According to reports, 84 people declared dead and 38 500 have been left homeless. The displaced residents have been moved to 43 shelters in higher reaches.
The SANDF started transporting goods donated by governmental and non-governmental organisations on Monday; as well as airlifting those who were trapped in low-lying areas and moving them to shelters.
According to Lt Col Piet Paxton of the SANDF, it, in partnership with the World Food Programme and disaster management of Mozambique, distributed food across 108 kilometres from four locations.
Paxton, who flew to the affected area on Wednesday, said water could be seen from the air in Quelimana in the Zambezia province for more than
100 kilometres toward the south.
“We estimate that more than 1 000 millimetres of rain had fallen in a very short time, which spiked the water level of the Licungo River. The mouth connecting the river to the ocean is too small, so most of the water is welled up in the areas around the river. The ground around it is saturated so the water cannot drain at all.”
He said it was difficult to determine exactly how many people had been affected by the disaster. “The figures range from 40 000 to 230 000. Everyone working on this has different numbers.”
SANDF spokesman Brig Gen Xolani Mabanga said they were working from Quelimana to assist the affected areas in Maganja, Mocuba, Nicoadala.
“Two Oryx medium transport helicopters and a C-130 aircraft have been sent to airlift victims and distribute aid packages to the affected areas,” said Mabanga.
“The South African Navy divers are also there to look for people who have drowned and a medical team from the South African Military Health Service is there to tend to the injured.”
Mabanga said when they visited the area on Tuesday it was raining in certain parts and was sunny in others. “Weather is something you cannot really predict. It might pour down within the next few days and then the rivers might flood again.”
The bridge where the EN1 highway crosses the Licungo River was washed away, making the north impenetrable from the south.
A public forum on Facebook called DriveMoz, posts regular updates on the condition of the roads.
According to Mozambican residents, the bridge had still not been repaired.
