Monday 19th January 2026
By inAfrika Newsroom
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has cancelled his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos as severe flooding expands across parts of the country, with officials saying the immediate priority is life saving operations. The Mozambique floods have intensified after weeks of heavy rainfall, adding pressure on provincial response systems and regional disaster coordination.
Authorities and humanitarian agencies report that continuous rains since mid December have affected large areas, with Gaza, Maputo and Sofala among the hardest hit provinces. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said more than 400,000 people have been affected, and warned that numbers could rise as rains persist and river basins remain above alert levels.
Flood impacts are being felt across transport corridors and community services. In low lying areas, rising waters have displaced families, disrupted schooling, and complicated the delivery of food and basic health services. Relief agencies are also monitoring heightened disease risks that can follow prolonged flooding, including waterborne infections.
Mozambique’s disaster response has a regional dimension. South Africa has sent a military helicopter to support search and rescue operations, reflecting cross border concern as the same weather system has also contributed to severe flooding in neighbouring countries.
The scale of flooding in southeastern Africa has renewed attention on climate resilience for river basins, drainage infrastructure, and urban planning in rapidly growing coastal and peri urban settlements. Scientists have warned that warmer oceans can intensify storms in the Indian Ocean, raising the probability of extreme rainfall events.
For Mozambique, the immediate challenge is operational. Local authorities must restore access roads, secure temporary shelter, and keep supply routes open for food, medicines and clean water, while monitoring further rainfall forecasts.
For Mozambique floods, national and provincial teams are expected to expand evacuations where rivers remain above alert levels, while humanitarian partners scale up shelter, water treatment, and logistics support. Regional coordination is likely to remain active, including aerial support, as rains continue and damage assessments guide recovery priorities.
Mozambique floods threaten livelihoods, transport links, and food security in a country where many households depend on seasonal agriculture and informal trade. For the wider region, the disruption highlights the rising fiscal and infrastructure costs of climate driven extremes across southern and eastern Africa.
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