Zimpeto fears flooding again as drainage works are stalled

Fear of new floods has resurfaced among residents of the Zimpeto neighborhood in Maputo. The concern is growing with the approach of the rainy season, at a time when work on the new stormwater drainage system has been stalled for more than three months.

Residents say they are apprehensive about the situation, since the intervention was seen as one of the main solutions to reduce the problem of accumulated water during the rains. With the work interrupted, the population fears that the neighborhood will once again face the same constraints experienced in previous periods.

In some areas, residents point to the existence of zones prone to water accumulation, especially during heavy rainfall. This situation can affect the movement of people and vehicles, as well as posing a threat to families living in the most vulnerable areas.

Residents are primarily questioning the reasons for the work stoppage and want to know when the work will resume. For the population, time is running out and the approaching rainy season makes the completion of the works urgent.

“We are worried because we don’t know when the works will continue. If the rains are heavy, we could have flooding problems again,” laments a resident.

Another resident states that the community already lives in fear of losing their belongings in case of flooding. According to him, the concern is not limited to homes, but also extends to roads and access points within the neighborhood.

The accumulated water can also create sanitation problems, encourage the proliferation of mosquitoes, and increase health risks for the affected communities. Therefore, residents argue that, while the work is not completed, temporary measures should be taken to ensure the drainage of water.

The population is also requesting greater communication from the responsible entities, especially regarding the expected timeframe for the resumption and completion of the project.

While awaiting answers, residents of Zimpeto say they are preparing for another rainy season marked by uncertainty. The expectation is that the works will resume before the rains intensify, preventing the neighborhood from facing flooding again and the resulting damage.