MOZAMBIQUE: Pungue begins flooding

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 1 Feb 2005 (IRIN) - The Pungue river in Mozambique's central province of Sofala has begun flooding and could affect at least 7,000 people, a disaster official told IRIN on Tuesday.

"We have begun relocating some of the residents in the two affected districts of Dondo and Nhamatanda to higher ground," said Rita Almeida, spokeswoman for Mozambique's National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC). "But if the water level continues to rise we will have to move all the people who are in the flood plains - 3,000 in Dondo district and 4,000 in Nhamatanda."

Heavy rains in neighbouring Zambia have also swollen the Zambezi river, nudging it past the flood-alert level of 5m in Sofala's Caia district. "The water level is currently 5.7m at Caia, while it is flowing at the 5.22m mark in Marromeu district, but it has not begun flooding yet," Almeida said.

The INGC warned that if the water continued to rise in the two districts, at least 11,000 more people living in the flood plains of the province could require assistance.

Flooding is a seasonal problem in Mozambique, and the INGC is sending tents and food relief to the affected areas along the Pungue. Jorge Uamusse of the Mozambique Red Cross said their volunteers were also helping people to move to higher ground.

[ENDS]