Mozambique is grappling with one of its worst flooding crises in recent decades, triggered by weeks of torrential rains across southern Africa, including heavy runoff from neighboring South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The southern and central provinces, especiallyΒ Gaza and Maputo, have been hit hardest, with widespread inundation destroying homes, infrastructure, and farmland.
The Government of Mozambique has declared a nationwide red alert to coordinate emergency response efforts amid the escalating humanitarian disaster.
As of mid-January 2026, authorities and humanitarian agencies report that more thanΒ 600,000 people have been affected, with figures continuing to rise as rains persist and waters recede slowly.
Key impacts include:
- Significant loss of life β dozens of fatalities reported so far, with the toll expected to rise.
- Massive housing destruction β tens of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed (estimates exceed 70,000 houses flooded or ruined).
- Widespread displacement β thousands evacuated to temporary centres, schools, and churches; evacuations ongoing.
- Severe infrastructure damage β roads, bridges, drainage systems, and health facilities heavily impacted, hampering rescue and access.
- Heightened health & food risks β threats from cholera outbreaks, disrupted services, and damage to farmland, especially affecting children and pregnant women.
The crisis compounds existing vulnerabilities, as communities were already recovering from cyclones and other disasters earlier in 2025. A concurrent cholera outbreak adds further strain, disrupting essential services including sexual and reproductive health and protection from gender-based violence.
Forecasts warn of continued heavy rainfall in provinces like Maputo, Gaza, and Inhambane, raising concerns about further dam overflows, river surges, and urban flooding due to inadequate drainage.
The government, supported by UN agencies, IOM, UNICEF, IFRC, and other partners, is scaling up search-and-rescue, evacuation, and relief efforts, though challenges persist due to damaged transport links and limited resources.
International assistance, including air support, has been requested to reach isolated areas.
This devastating event underscores the growing intensity of extreme weather in the region during the 2025/2026 rainy and cyclone season.Β
