Flood continues hitting southern Mozambique

MAPUTO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Flood continues hitting southern Mozambique with Xai-Xai, the provincial capital of Gaza in danger of the deluge.

The National Water Board (DNA) on Thursday said floods surge down the Limpopo River have already overwhelmed the towns of Chokwe and Canicado and now heading downstream towards the provincial capital.

Rute Nhamucho of the National Emergency Operational Center (CENOE) told reporters that on Friday the Limpopo will rise above flood alert level at Xai-Xai and that the low-lying parts of the Xai-Xai will be seriously flooded on Saturday.

Facing the danger, the authorities are working to evacuate people from areas at risk. An accommodation center for flood victims has been set up in the city.

The CENOE has positioned three boats for search and rescue operations.

At the Sicacate measuring station, which is between Chokwe and Xai-Xai, the Limpopo River was measured on Thursday morning at 10. 67 meters, said Nhamucho.

This is 5.67 meters above flood alert level. The people living in villages on the lower Limpopo in Xai-Xai district are being urged to move to higher places to take any goods away from the banks of the river and to avoid any attempt to cross the Limpopo River.

Nhamucho added that the Incomati River remains at 2.15 meters above alert level at the town of Magude in Maputo province and that the river is approaching alert level at Manhica, some 90 km north of the Mozambican capital Maputo.

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