Mozambique Flood Crisis: Thousands Rescued as Waters Rise

Sat Jan 31 2026 18:01:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Severe flooding in Mozambique has led to tens of thousands of people seeking rescue as waters reach unprecedented levels, resembling the worst disaster the nation has faced in decades.

Amid catastrophic flooding in Mozambique, communities are coping with rapid water levels that have driven many to seek refuge in rescue centers. With international teams aiding in relief efforts, locals continue to risk their lives clinging to trees and rooftops. The nation faces substantial impacts on agriculture and infrastructure as authorities brace for further rainfall and possible dam releases from neighboring South Africa.

Tens of thousands of people in Mozambique are being rescued as rising waters continue to devastate the southern African nation - marking the worst flooding in a generation. Teams from Brazil, South Africa, and the UK are providing critical life-saving support.

For me, this is the first time I have experienced a calamity of this magnitude. Elders say a similar disaster took place in the 1990s, narrated Tomaz Antonio Mlau, a 24-year-old mechanic, as he recounted the moment their home near Marracuene was inundated after the Inkomati River overflowed.

As many as 4,000 people have sought safety in temporary shelters including schools and churches, with the floodwaters leaving communities in distress and agricultural activities jeopardized. Farmers describe hopelessness after losing livestock and homes to the flood, with reports indicating more than 650,000 affected thus far.

Mayor Shafee Sidat expressed concern over people remaining in risky areas, reporting major logistical challenges in rescue operations. Authorities have noted at least 12 confirmed fatalities and expect the situation may worsen due to continuous rains and the potential opening of dams upstream.

Local residents are facing food shortages and logistical challenges as transport routes become impassable. Community leaders are urging those unwilling to evacuate to prioritize their safety over possessions, highlighting the need for collective resilience against the impending climatic adversities.

Education officials are also considering postponing the academic year to accommodate those displaced, as schools currently serve as vital shelters during this ongoing crisis.