Rains raise river levels in the South of the country

The hydrological situation in the southern region of the country has worsened in recent hours. The significant rise in water levels in the Save, Limpopo, and Incomáti rivers, coupled with forecasts of more rain, has put riverside communities on alert and led ARA-Sul to urge the population to exercise maximum caution.

The situation is due to locally recorded rainfall and increased runoff from upstream regions. In the last 24 hours, there was light to moderate rainfall in several river basins, namely in the Umbelúzi, in Calichane (13.5 mm) and in the BPL (17.2 mm); in the Limpopo, in Pafúri (23.7 mm) and Combomune (18.5 mm); and in the Save, in Massangena, where the accumulated rainfall was 34.6 mm.

As a consequence, the basins of the Save River (in Vila Franca and Massangena), the Limpopo River (in Sicacate, Combomune and Chókwè) and the Incomáti River (in Magude) have registered a significant rise in hydrometric levels, exceeding their respective alert levels. This increase in flow is already causing impacts on agricultural areas in riverside zones, as well as on human settlements and routes for the circulation of people and goods, especially on the banks of the Save, Limpopo and Inhanombe rivers.

Meanwhile, the main reservoirs in the southern region continue to receive considerable volumes of water. The Massingir dam is registering an inflow of 866.62 m³/s, while the Corumana dam is receiving 84.05 m³/s and the BPL reservoir 55.32 m³/s. Currently, the Corumana reservoir is at 81.46% of its total capacity, followed by the BPL at 84.75% and Massingir at 74.69%.

Over the next 48 hours, the situation is expected to worsen. According to weather forecasts and the prevailing hydrological conditions, flooding is expected to intensify in the lower Save River (in Machanga and Nova Mambone), the lower Incomáti River (in Magude), and the lower Limpopo River (in Chókwè and Xai-xai). Furthermore, an increase in the filling volume of the region's main reservoirs is anticipated.

Given this situation, ARA-Sul, IP, urges the public to take precautions when approaching the Incomati, Inhanombe, Limpopo, and Save rivers, as they risk being swept away by the force of the water. It also recommends continuous monitoring of hydrological information disseminated by the competent authorities.