Water Alert: Floods persist and threaten roads in the South of the country

The heavy rains that persist over the southern region of the country are keeping rivers above alert levels and causing the collapse of communication routes, generating a critical hydrological situation. In the last 24 hours, the most significant accumulations were recorded in the Incomáti basin, especially in Sabié (102.0 mm) and Magude (68.2 mm), and in Ressano Garcia (65.2 mm).

As a consequence of this intense rainfall, coupled with runoff from upstream areas, multiple river basins continue to register dangerously high levels. This situation affects the Umbelúzi, Maputo, Incomáti, Limpopo, Save, Inhanombe, and Govuro rivers at various monitoring stations. The scenario is particularly serious in Combomune, Sicacate, and Chókwè, in the Limpopo basin.

Meanwhile, the main dams in the region have a high storage volume. Massingir is operating at 89.51% of its capacity, while Corumana is at 87.01%. The Pequenos Libombo Dam, which receives an inflow of 748.15 m³/s, is at 77.49% of its total volume.

Given this situation, the forecast for the next 48 hours is for worsening impacts. A general rise in river levels is expected, which will continue to make dozens of road sections impassable. Among the most affected are the N2 national road in the Catuane administrative post, several roads in the Chókwè and Guijá regions, and connections between Xinavane and Magude.

Furthermore, there is an imminent risk of the protective dikes collapsing in the towns of Chókwè, Guijá, and Macarretane, which would significantly increase the damage.

Given this scenario, the Southern Regional Water Administration (ARA-Sul) issued a strong appeal to the population. The entity warns of the danger of approaching the Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomáti, Limpopo, and Save rivers due to the destructive force of the currents. ARA-Sul recommends, as an essential safety measure, the constant monitoring of official hydrological information released by the competent authorities.