Deadly floods and mass evacuations across southern Africa during intensified rains

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
23h ago
Flooding across southern Africa caused widespread deaths, displacement, infrastructure damage and ongoing evacuation and rescue efforts while further flood alerts remained in place.
Deadly floods and mass evacuations across southern Africa during intensified rains
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Key insights

  • 1

    Authorities warned of more destructive weather: Authorities warned that more destructive weather may still be to come, and weather services issued further alerts across the region.

  • 2

    Flood impacts included disease and food risks in Mozambique: Mozambique’s reported deaths included a cholera outbreak linked to contaminated water supplies, and the World Food Programme warned that submerged crops were deepening food shortages for small-scale farmers.

  • 3

    La Nina was cited as a possible factor: The United States Famine Early Warning System said flooding was reported or expected in at least seven southern African countries, possibly linked to the La Nina phenomenon.

A What happened
Torrential rains across southern Africa killed more than 100 people and forced mass evacuations and rescue operations. Weeks of heavy rainfall battered South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, overwhelming rivers and infrastructure and cutting off communities. Weather services issued further alerts, raising fears of additional flooding. Mozambique’s disaster management authorities reported 103 deaths during an unusually severe rainy season since late last year, including deaths linked to flooding, lightning, infrastructure collapse and a cholera outbreak.

Topics

Health & Medicine Public Health Climate & Environment Climate Change Natural Disasters Law & Public Safety Public Safety

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