Mozambique: Flood warning issued by authorities
Semi-submerged houses are seen Jan. 15, 2008 in Chimuara, Quelimane district of central Mozambique after floods took place in three river basins. More than 70,000 people have been resettled, particularly in schools and other public buildings. Overall, the southern African country, which declared a red alert last Jan. 3, is gearing up to evacuate more than 200,000 people.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Back in 2000 catastrophic flooding in Mozambique killed hundreds of people.
It was the worst flooding the coastal country had seen in 30 years and the first natural disaster of the new millennium.
Now as a seasonal tropical storm approaches authorities are warning people to flee the low-lying flood-prone areas of southern and central
Mozambique.
Read more on GlobalPost: "Flesh-eating bananas" hoax goes viral in Mozambique
Already some streets in the capital Maputo have flooded and huge 20-foot waves have been reported off the coast.
State-run radio has reported that the southern town of Xai-Xai, which bore the brunt of the disaster in 2000, is underwater and electricityhas been cut-off.
Read more on GlobalPost: What's ahead for 2012 in Africa
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?