Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered widespread flooding across Mozambique, severely impacting the southern region and rendering key roads impassable, according to Transport and Logistics Minister João Matlombe.
The southern provinces are the hardest hit, with approximately 40% of Gaza province submerged and districts in Maputo province flooded, some isolated. Rainfall levels have exceeded normal averages, placing nearly all provinces on alert.
"There are critical areas, such as the provinces of Gaza, Maputo and also Sofala. We have roads that are almost impassable as a result of the emergency water levels," Matlombe said during a monitoring visit to Sofala.
Assessments up to Friday indicate 152 kilometres of classified roads completely destroyed and over 3 000 kilometres significantly affected nationwide. Unclassified access roads, already in poor condition, are now virtually impassable due to rising waters.
The government has declared a State of Emergency, prompting Matlombe's visit to evaluate infrastructure and restoration efforts in hard-hit regions.
"We want to see if we can ensure that it is restored, so that we can have the connection and provide assistance to families who are inaccessible, in order to guarantee, among other things, food for them," he said.
The government has urged residents in at-risk areas to evacuate, as the rainy season, expected to continue until early March, still poses risks of above-normal rainfall.
Matlombe highlighted the government’s focus on long-term planning for future potential flooding events.
"At the infrastructure level, this is a time to consolidate the data we have on rainfall levels, critical areas, and find more definitive solutions, because it will rain every year. That's a certainty."
"This way, we will avoid spending money every year to repair damage caused by rain, because even with resilient infrastructure, the water overflows the roads and affects other public infrastructure, such as health, education, and other state services."
“It’s not just a matter of roads. It’s the entire infrastructure that is affected. Therefore, it’s important that we all look at this and make these decisions, and that there is also collaboration from the communities.”
He urged communities to rebuild in safer locations and called on the media to raise awareness.
“We hope that our friends in the media will continue to disseminate information, raising awareness so that all people in at-risk areas throughout the country can understand that prevention is better. The whole country is being flooded, and there is no capacity to provide assistance simultaneously.”
The flooding aligns with regional heavy rains since late December 2025, affecting southern and central provinces, including Gaza, Maputo, Sofala, Inhambane and others, with reports of significant humanitarian needs, crop losses and displacement across southern Africa.
