Persistent flooding damages thousands of homes and wide swaths of land in southern Mozambique

Persistent flooding in southern Mozambique has caused damage to around 4 200 homes and more than 54 000 ha (133 400 acres) of agricultural land. Heavy rains have been affecting the southern areas of the country, falling on grounds already saturated by downpours brought by Tropical Cyclone "Eloise" in late January.

Severe flooding has been affecting the country's southern region after heavy rains fell over the past days. The inundations caused by Eloise, which made landfall in Beira on January 23, were further worsened.

As of February 15, around 3 000 houses were flooded in Maputo Provine, while 1 200 homes were damaged in Matola District.

Parts of Maputo City and Marracuene District were impacted after the Incomati River overflowed. Boane District was also hit by inundations after the Umbeluzi River broke its banks.

The districts of Magude, Moamba, and Matutine were cut off as roads were swamped. Further north, high water levels of the Limpopo River send floodwaters in parts of Gaza Province, damaging crops and houses.

According to local media, more than 54 000 (133 400 acres) of agricultural land were ravaged in the province. The worst-hit crops were corn, beans, rice, and vegetables.

Featured image credit: TV Miramar/YouTube