Southern region maintains hydrological alert: rivers above their normal levels and roads closed for 48 hours

Over the past 24 hours, the southern region of the country has recorded only light and scattered rainfall. However, the hydrological situation remains critical in several river basins. This is because the Maputo River (in Fronteira Oeste and Madubula), the Incomáti River (in Sabié, Magude, Incoluane and Manhiça) and the Limpopo River (in Combomune, Sicacate, Chókwè and Xai-Xai) continue to have levels above the alert threshold. This scenario is due to the increased volume of water that continues to descend from upstream regions. On the other hand, in the other basins, levels fluctuate with a downward trend, remaining below the alert level.

Regarding water storage in the main dams, the data shows a diverse picture:

Corumana Dam has the highest storage percentage (82.44%), with an inflow (202.17 m³/s) significantly higher than the discharge (49.95 m³/s).

The Massingir dam is operating at 66.35% of its capacity, but is registering a very high discharge flow (1288.97 m³/s), exceeding the inflow flow (342.33 m³/s), indicating a controlled release for relief.

The Pequenos Libombos Dam (BPL) is at 78.45% of its volume, with more water entering (156.71 m³/s) than leaving (131.88 m³/s).

Based on the weather forecast, it is expected that, over the next 48 hours, water levels at all stations will continue to decline, although they are still expected to remain high. Despite this positive development, the impacts on communication routes remain severe.

In the Maputo and Umbelúzi river basins, road traffic is still interrupted in Catuane–Tinonganine, Mafuiane, and Mazambanine.

In the Incomáti basin, the Xinavane-Magude, 3 de Fevereiro-Incoluane, Sábie-Magude and Sábie-Moamba sections remain impassable.

In the Limpopo basin, in addition to the overtopping of the protective dikes in Chókwè, Guijá and Macarretane, traffic remains cut off in multiple sections, including Chókwè–Guijá, Guijá–Chibuto and Chissano–Chibuto, among others.

Given this situation, the Southern Regional Water Administration (ARA-Sul, IP) strongly urges the general public to exercise extreme caution when approaching the Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomáti, Limpopo, and Save rivers, as they risk being swept away by the force of the water.

Similarly, it reinforces the need for continuous monitoring of hydrological information released by the competent authorities.

The situation in the southern region shows signs of slow improvement, but the accumulated effects of previous rains are keeping rivers high, infrastructure under pressure, and roads closed, requiring continuous vigilance.