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.
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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.
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