Ten dead in storms in Cabo Delgado

Maputo – Storms and torrential rains have caused the deaths of ten people in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado according to a balance of the rainy season presented on Wednesday by the country’s relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC), to the provincial government.

According ro a report in Friday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Notiia”, five of those who died were struck by lightning.The INGC report also said that 605 houses have been destroyed or damaged in Montepuez, Muidumbe, Mecufi and Chiure districts. In Montepuez town over 100 houses have been destroyed and, according to the Mayor of Montepuez, Anli Chabane, the primary school in Nacate neighbourhood is in danger of collapseThe Nairoto and Mirate administrative posts, both in Montepuez district, have been isolated from Montepuez town, because flooding has destroyed a bridge over the Messalo river, and submerged a second bridge, over the Xitope river.

Traffic between Mecufi and Chiure districts has become impossible because a bridge over the Megaruma river is also under water. The flood on the Megaruma has also inundated agricultural areas, although agricultural officials say that crops planted in these fields should not yet be considered as lost.

But further rain is expected, and all the main rivers in the province are rising. The northern regional water board (ARA-Norte) is recommending members of the public to avoid crossing the swollen rivers, and to remove their property from flood-prone areas.