Mozambique isolated: Rains destroy roads and cut connections in several provinces

The heavy rains that have been felt throughout the country have once again caused serious damage to access roads, leaving dozens of roads impassable or with restricted traffic in several provinces, especially Gaza, one of the most affected regions.

In Gaza province, the R856 road, which connects the districts of Chókwè and Guijá, is impassable due to flooding caused by rising water levels. The same situation is occurring on the N221 road, in the lowlands of Nkoluane, between Caniçado and Chinhacanine.

According to the National Roads Administration (ANE), this situation has once again isolated the district capital of Guijá from the rest of the province, due to the closure of the R856 (Chókwè-Guijá) and N221 (Chibuto-Guijá) roads.

A week earlier, ANE had already reported the impassability of the Ndonga/Ndindiza road, due to two cuts of approximately seven meters at kilometer 11. On the EN1, between Xai-Xai and Zandamela, traffic is restricted due to undermining on the shoulder, in the Chidenguele area (Km 64). The EN222, which connects Mapai and Maxaila, is impassable in several places due to the overtopping of the roadbed.

Also in Gaza, the EN220, between Chissano and Chibuto, has restricted traffic, being recommended only for vehicles with high suspension and four-wheel drive, due to the high humidity and slippery surfaces. As alternatives, ANE suggests the EN1 (Chissano-Chongoene) and the EN102 (Chongoene-Chibuto).

In the province of Inhambane, as of March 11th, four roads were experiencing traffic problems. The R901, at the intersection with the EN242, has restricted traffic due to erosion and the risk of collapse at kilometer 5. The R902, which connects Morrumbene and Mocodoene, also has restricted traffic at kilometer 17 due to erosion in the aqueduct.

Meanwhile, the Chidjinguir/Mubalo road is impassable in several places due to roadbed collapse, soil subsidence, erosion, and cuts along its route. The R483, which connects Inharrime and Panda, is also cut off at Km 12.

In the province of Tete, the EN322, which connects Madamba, Mutarara and Rio Chire, has restricted trafficability in several sections (Km 36, 100, 110 and 116), and is only recommended for vehicles with four-wheel drive.

Given the situation, ANE is urging motorists to plan their journeys and avoid driving vehicles weighing more than 10 tons on unpaved roads.

N13 with impassable sections

In the north of the country, the rains are also causing significant damage. In Niassa province, the N13 road (Mandimba-Cuamba) is impassable due to flooding of the Muanda and Lussengasse rivers.

The N13 is also cut off between Cuamba and Malema, in the province of Nampula, due to erosion, the washing away of culverts and the overflowing of the Namutibua River at Km 5+000.

Other affected roads include the R720 (Cuamba-Mecanhelas) and the R657 (Cuamba-Etatara), both impassable due to the Muanda River overflowing. The N360 (Cuamba-Metarica-Mauá-Marrupa) has restricted traffic due to saturated pavement and slippery surfaces.

The restricted traffic conditions also extend to roads R726 (Mussa-Muembe-Chiconono), R733/R1215 (Unango-Macalodge-Matchedge) and R731 (Marrupa-Mecula), where circulation is recommended only for four-wheel drive vehicles.